A Family Tradition: Family Sabbath Meal

July 30, 2012 by
Such great ideas for a family sabbath meal in here! Recipes included!

 

We love trying out new activities as a family, but sometimes it’s hard to come up with ideas on our own. Something my son’s homeschool curriculum suggested this year is to observe a “Sabbath” meal occasionally. It has been such a meaningful experience- yet very simple- that I thought I would share.

 

First, I cook something the family loves. It is usually homemade chicken pot pie. (My recipe is here.)

 

One thing I found out when researching is that challah bread is usually served at the Sabbath meal. I didn’t make my own, but got the braided effect by using a Pillsbury crescent pastry sheet.
The finished product is quite nice. Before baking, I brushed with butter and sprinkled with rosemary. That takes any bread from good to divine!

 

Next, we use our nice dishes. This helps the kids realize it is a special meal. They also help set the table, and I light a candle or two. {Note to self: make sure the candle holders you are using aren’t broken, so that a lighted candle doesn’t turn itself over during the meal. Ahem.}

 

 

The first time we did this, we all wore our “Sunday” clothes. This time we went a little more casual, with pajamas and/or bare skin on the fashion list!

 

 

When we sit down to eat, Ben prays for each one of us individually, then one of us prays for him. While we are eating, we each go around and say something nice about each member of the family. It really is a special time. No one is allowed to get up until we all finish, which is hard with three little ones!

 

I made a special dessert this time as well- I’ll share the (super easy) recipe later this week. It was so good!

 

 

So that sums up one our favorite traditions.

 

What traditions do your family follow? I’d love to hear new ideas!

 

Filed Under: eat, eat pray {read} love, family, favorites, sabbath, traditions
About Kelli Hays

Kelli Hays is a wife, mother, writer, and friend. She has been blogging since 2008 and loves sharing inspiration for the everyday woman!

Comments

  1. Kim Pieplow says
    July 30, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    Love the idea! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Excited for that dessert recipe!

  2. Anne Beaumont says
    July 30, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    I love your blog! I am your newest follower!!!!

    http://thebees3.blogspot.com/

  3. Paulaschaffin says
    July 31, 2012 at 1:12 am

    I love this. We try to set and stick with traditions to be passed down in our home.

  4. Kelli@eatpray{read}love says
    July 31, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    Thanks Anne!

  5. Juggling Act says
    August 3, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    Hello! Stopping by from Activity Corner – love your post! Thanks for sharing this – I’ll be trying that challah bread for sure 🙂 I hope you’ll come visit me at jugglingactmama.blogspot.com. Have a great day!

  6. Kelli@eatpray{read}love says
    August 3, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    you are very welcome! Also, my friend found some actual Challah bread in the grocery store yesterday! Can’t wait to try it!

    Our blog

  7. Kelli H says
    September 28, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    Kelli, my friend, MaryAnn McKibben Dana, wrote a book called Sabbath in the Suburbs about her family’s year of setting aside a day for Sabbath each week. MaryAnn is a minister, so they usually did Sabbath on Saturdays. I know I’m biased, but it’s a really good book!

  8. Angela England says
    November 20, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    Oh that braided bread looks amazing! What a great recipe! Thank you for sharing …my kids would adore that.

  9. b.coleman says
    December 25, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    A very interesting tradition of praying for each of your family members individually. I love that idea. This is a great post, I will be using it on an upcoming Sabbath and forwarding it to my husband because this is A MUST READ!

    Thank you for shining Jesus’ light.

    Blessings of His peace be with you and all of His beloved people.

    B.

Yum