Dear Advent:

A parable. A man owned a restaurant. He served only the healthiest and tastiest of foods. It was acknowledged by all of his customers that the restaurant was unique, precious to them, a place where, if they were ever to eat out, that restaurant would be the place.

Soon, however, other things began to distract the customers. Life’s pressing demands came to be so great that they only had time to eat meals at home. On the road so much and with so little time, they began to eat fast food. Some found that they didn’t even have the time to eat at all.

 

Since every restaurant relies upon new customers and walk-ins, the absence of those faithful customers began to create a new set of problems for the restaurant owner. When people walked by and they only saw a few people at the tables, they assumed that this was an indication of the quality of food, so they passed on by. In addition, the hard work that the owner put into his food preparation and the care with which he made his creative presentations seemed to be waste of his time, at least, that is how he felt. Perhaps his hurt feelings made him doubt whether the extra effort was worth it.

 

It did not take long before the restaurant owner felt that creating wonderful food for his customers was no longer needed, so he closed his shop. Soon thereafter the customers stood in disbelief at the door of the closed restaurant. Admittedly, they had not been there very often lately, but where did the owner go? They most certainly loved his food, when they had time to eat it. Now the food was no longer available. All that was available was the fast food down the street, on the way to the next best thing.

 

Does this parable need to be explained? During my absence from January to mid-March, the attendance at Advent dropped more than 500 people from the year before. It must have been the weather! I am nothing, Christ is everything. I will be gone, but Christ will always be here. Advent is a congregation with liturgical tables of linen and fine china. The wine of the Word is exquisite. The entree of divine forgiveness is sumptuous. The dessert of joyful music and song tantalizes the palate of the soul.

 

What we don’t realize, I think, is that each of us has a confession to make, for the sake of our Lord who owns the restaurant and offers us such wonderful food. What do people think when they come to a house of worship and half the congregation is eating elsewhere that day? It is good that we would all choose this place to eat above all others. It is also good that we so greatly appreciate the fine food and drink. But eating at home? Eating fast food while we are on the run to those “other commitments?” Would we be disappointed if the restaurant were closed?

 

Please make your retiring waiter a happy waiter. Don’t let this restaurant be half full. Your presence is vital in making others understand the greatness of the meals that are being served here. Don’t let your attendance become an act of obligation, but an act of appreciation. Focus upon the sumptuous food and drink offered here so that you cannot wait to return. And please, don’t starve yourself. Fill the restaurant every single Sunday with tables of saints, eating and drinking with the mirth and laughter and joy of the Holy Spirit, consuming in heart and mind and soul the wonderful meal that the Lord has prepared for you.

 

Pastor Fiene

Luke 14:15-23