Maundy Thursday Table Hospitality

 

In honor of today’s liturgical holiday, Maundy Thursday, I give you wise words from theologian & church historian Diana Butler Bass about Jesus' inclination to offer table hospitality.

Also, I post again a picture book that expresses extravagant hospitality (for a party). It’s the latest PBT Grab & Go book (Xander’s Panda Party)! These  you can literally grab & go, trusting there are many theological connections.

At the end of this post, I give a shortcut for finding more books about table hospitality at PBT! 

Here is a key paragraph from Butler Bass’ post, but if you want to read her entire post, click here.

Jesus loved meals. They (those with him at his last supper) knew that. They’d had so many together. Go back through the gospels and see how many of the stories take place at tables, distributing food, or inviting people to supper. Indeed, some have suggested that Jesus primary work was organizing suppers as a way to embody the coming kingdom of God. Throughout his ministry, Jesus welcomed everyone — to the point of contention with his critics — to the table. Tax collectors, sinners, women, Gentiles, the poor, faithful Jews, and ones less so. Jesus was sloppy with supper invitations. He never thought about who would be seated next to whom. He made the disciples crazy with his lax ideas about dinner parties. All he wanted was for everybody to come, to be at the table, and share food and conversation. 

PBT Grab & Go #20

Picture Book: Xander’s Panda Party

Author: Linda Sue Park

Illustrator: Matt Phelan

Summary: In very clever verse, Park captures the frustrations of planning a party. Xander wants to have a party. He carefully creates his invitation, menu, and guest list. As he invites various species of animals at the zoo, he realizes important species are being left out. For instance, Xander begins by inviting other bears. The koala "bear" protests, complaining that being a marsupial, not a bear, means she's not invited. So Xander expands his guest list to include all mammals. At other times, animals who are invited complain, that their cross-species friends can't come. Rhinoceros says, 
"It may sound a bit absurd, 
but I won't come without my bird." 
Similar guest list conundrums arise, but Xander's hospitable nature has him expanding the species of animals he will invite. Eventually, all creatures are invited to Xander's party, even the humans at the zoo.

Hanna’s Comments: Animal taxonomy (how species are organized) is explored throughout this delightful story so your children might learn a little science while hearing about being more inclusive and hospitable. The author also offers a note at the end with some history about animal taxonomies. For these reasons, this book would be a wonderful part of an elementary science lesson on animal classification. Homeschools or private schools could connect this story to The Parable of the Banquet Guests or the spiritual practice of hospitality. It would be an excellent read-aloud in a worship service, especially when hospitality is the theme. Point out how Panda is also using his empathy skills, an important part of loving neighbors as directed in the scriptures. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Clarion Books, 2013 

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up 

Available in Spanish? Not at present 

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Treat the stranger as a native (Leviticus 19:34); Love your neighbor (Mark 12:31); Parable of the Banquet Guests (Luke 14:15-24); show hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a lesson or as part of a sermon on the importance of inclusion, avoiding exclusive practices, and practicing hospitality.

From The Doorbell Rang by Hutchins

For more picture books about table hospitality, go to the search box and type in  "table hospitality."

                        From Bear Says Thanks by Wilson & Chapman

Grab & Go #15 - Big Jabe

Below I've again featured a book from an earlier PBT post. The books in this series have such obvious connections to scripture that you can literally grab the book, read it to your audience, and then ask them what scripture connections they find. For children, you'll likely need to provide some prompting. 

Picture Book: Big Jabe
Author: Jerdine Nolen
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Summary: Addy, a young slave, discovers baby Jabe while fishing. Soon Big Jabe is huge & seems responsible for extraordinary, even magical feats. When the overseer blames other slaves for the changes, those slaves disappear, including Addy. Big Jabe moves on to other plantations continuing his work of lifting burdens in miraculous ways.
Hanna’s Comments: This author and this illustrator are two of my favorites! Their story is a tall tale with an American slavery context. There are at least 3 obvious connections with Bible stories and I'm not even counting the theme of slavery. It's an amazing but complicated and somewhat dark story that your children will love. There's a lot here to talk about, much of it biblical in nature.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Amistad, 2005

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up
Formats other than Book: None at present
Scripture Connections: Moses in the basket (Exodus 2:1-10); slaves escaping (Exodus); loads of fish in the net (Luke 5:4-7); Peter & Silas have their chains loosened while in prison (Acts 12:6-11)

Idea(s) for Application: Besides a lesson at your church for elementary-aged children, teens, or adult, this book could enhance a fabulous homeschool or private school lesson on tall tales that would encourage some great Bible story reading.

Grab & Go #13: Little Apple Goat

Picture Book: Little Apple Goat

Author & Illustrator: Caroline Jayne Church 

Summary: In this story, an ordinary goat has quite an extraordinary appetite. 

Wednesday's laundry isn't appetizing to her. 

Instead she loves fruit! Each autumn, Little Apple Goat patiently waits for fruit to fall before she munches and munches. 

Any fruit will do: cherries, pears, and especially apples.

For years, Little Apple Goat spits the pits and seeds over the hedge on her way home from the orchard. 

On one particular day, the breeze is strong. 

It picks up to a bluster and then a storm, a terrible storm. 

The animals gather in their barn, huddled together while watching and hearing the terrible wind. 

Once it's safe, Little Apple Goat hurries to see her beloved fruit trees.

Every tree is destroyed! 

As the farmer cuts and drags debris away, the animals are sad. They agree that the farm "just won't be the same without the orchard." 

When winter comes, Little Apple Goat thinks how the logs from the orchard trees are keeping the farmer warm. 

Spring comes, and Little Apple Goat notices blossoms peeking out over the hedge. She wonders about them.

"Then one Autumn" the fruit trees are back and their yummy fruit! The animals wonder who could have planted all the new fruit trees. 

We know who!

Hanna’s Comments: I'm amazed at the emotion this illustrator is able to capture with simple marks! Spend some time discussing the characters' feelings in this story. Recently I’ve heard several radio stories about the destruction of fruit crops in Florida because of Hurricane Irma. This book seems perfect for children or families in congregations who have experienced the destruction of recent hurricanes because it offers a comforting long view, a hopeful view that seeds (even Fruit of the Spirit seeds) are already planted for their recovery. Fruit is coming - sweet, juicy fruit and the fruit we see in the generous goodness of others who have compassionately responded to pain and loss. Picture books are a non-threatening and comforting tool for difficult subjects, even for adults. Having a faith orientation that helps with this kind of hope builds resilience and sustains in the difficult work and wait ahead. Read this book to other groups as well because we all suffer through disasters or tragedies and need to lean on our faithful hope to wait and endure. Seeds are planted without us knowing. Later we enjoy their goodness and sustenance.  

Original Publisher & Date: Eerdmans, 2007

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: They who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength… (Isaiah 40:31); Behold, for I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19); For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11); Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation… Romans 12:12); What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. (1 Corinthians 15: 36); the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children in your faith family and talk about recent natural disasters. Help the children view those negative consequences with hope that is found in their faith. OR Tie this book to Paul's Fruit of the Spirit by considering those in your audience's lives who generously plant such fruit.

PBT Redux #22 An Orange in January

I’m ending the PBT series on The Fruit of the Spirit with 3 re-posts. Here and on Friday I feature a secular book about fruit in general. Then I’ll re-post a sacred book about Paul’s Fruits of the Spirit. The book below is from the first year of PBT. To connect it to Galatians, have your audience consider the development of a particular Fruit of the Spirit by finding a living metaphor for each of the stages in the orange's journey. 

Picture Book: An Orange in January

Author: Dianna Hutts Aston

Illustrator: Julie Maren

Summary: This is the story of one orange. It begins as a blossom in a land that glows with warm spring light. It ends across the world, in a young boy’s hands as he shares it with his school friends on a snowy playground. Across the distance, the orange offers its nectar to bees, ripens on a tree, and is picked and placed in a bag, then a basket, then a truck, then a grocery store, then a school lunchbox. At last, several children enjoy the sweet yummy goodness of the orange sections, even in January.

Hanna’s Comments: I am guilty of taking it for granted that an orange is available to me in the middle of winter. Use this book to help a young audience savor the beauty of an orange, appreciate the complexity of its route, and taste one of God’s great gifts. Talk about how an orange used to be a very rare treat and still is for many in our world who don’t have the means or accessibility to exotic or off-season foods. Mention the joy of sharing such delights and consider what other treats are worthy of further attention. Then relate these joys to savoring and praising God’s goodness in worship and all day long.

Original Publisher & Date: Dial Books, 2007

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8); The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children while sharing sections of oranges. Talk about savoring God’s goodness and the importance of praise and gratitude to God. OR Consider the orange's journey as a metaphor for the development of a particular Fruit of the Spirit.

Seeds

Picture Book: What Will Grow?

Author: Jennifer Ward

Illustrator: Susie Ghahremani

Summary: It's almost spring here in Alabama so it's time for folks to plant seeds.

This gorgeous book introduces young children to the idea that seeds are varied and determine what will grow. In the back you'll find lots of information about common seeds 

and the 4 stages from seed to plant.

The title question is asked and answered after each seed is described in a fun rhyming couplet. 

Sometimes the seed is described, the question asked and then ...

you are treated to an extra, fold-out page.  

Big plants for climbing are here. 

 

The origins of common flowers are considered. 

And an uncommon flower is featured  

with a surprising fold-out treat! 

But this book is not just about the plants we expect to enjoy in spring and summer. 

Some we harvest in autumn

and some we celebrate in winter. 

Here's another gorgeous surprise. 

You'll find animal interactions which you can expand on with more science, helping children understand the God-ordained interactions of plants and animals. 

The parts of a plant are mentioned 

as well as the different directions of growth. 

The wrap-up shows the busyness of the underground 

and the results of all that work and time. 

Hanna’s Comments: Because the Bible was written in an agrarian culture and a simpler time, seeds are used repeatedly as literary illustrations of godly potential. Their symbolism is straightforward and relateable to young and old. Each seed has the godly wisdom to grow in its own way just as we have God's image in us to bless the world. Although we are each a unique seed with varied potential, our genetics tie us to other humans, particular animals, and the plants we depend on.   

The first book in Ward & Ghahremani's series is What Will Hatch? 

Likewise, in that book the author/illustrator duo transform a set of simple scientific ideas about eggs into beauty we can then use for spiritual metaphors. The beautiful pages in both books (my photos don't do them justice) are thick for little hands to turn. 

Original Publisher & Date: Bloomsbury, 2017

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2 and up, Toddler and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Scriptures about the image of God in us, seed parables, and our connections with plants and other animals

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book during a lesson for young children in your faith family and link to scriptures in which seeds symbolically represent potential.

PBT Redux #20 Love Monster and the Last Chocolate

This year Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday are on the same day. For some people, Ash Wednesday begins a Lenten journey of struggle and denying your desires. My Lenten journey will involve better Sabbath practices. I'll bask in the love of God that is always available. Today’s PBT Redux is a reminder of God's love that is better than chocolate, ever present, and more abundant than we realize. You might want to have some chocolate handy when you read this one.

Picture Book: Love Monster and the Last Chocolate

Author & Illustrator: Rachel Bright 

Summary: This book is in a series of 4 books. In all, you’ll find Love Monster living in a world of cute, fluffy characters and exploring their relationships. In the introductory book, Love Monster searches for love among the fluffy creatures, thinking no one will love a slightly hairy, googly-eyed monster. He's so wrong and so lovable.

In this book, Love Monster knows he is loved by all his cute fluffy animal friends. He is fretting about a box of chocolates, found when he arrives home from a trip. 

Before opening it, he worries about whether he should share the chocolates. There might not be enough to share with all his cute, fluffy friends. 

Someone might eat his favorite, Double Chocolate Strawberry Swirl.  

Perhaps he will have only the coffee one left after sharing. He hates the coffee one!

After deciding not to share and then feeling very guilty,

 he runs to his friends 

and confesses his selfishness. 

They insist that he look in the box. 

There he finds one chocolate, his favorite, and a love note saying how much they missed their favorite monster. 

The story ends with this wise statement: “Sometimes it’s when you stop to think of others that you start to find out just how much they think of you.”

Hanna’s Comments: How could I not love this book?! It’s about 2 of my favorite experiences in this great life God gives us: chocolate and friends! Your children will get a kick out of Love Monster’s fretting. Help them realize how he struggles with generosity but is still willing. Claim and explain the joys of generosity.

Allow your audience to give examples of when they have discovered surprising generosity from others. Tie it all together with some scripture. See my suggestions below.

Original Publisher & Date: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 2015 

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: One gives freely, yet grows all the richer. (Proverbs 11:24-25); Give and it will be given to you. (Luke 6:38a); It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35b); Let no one seek their own good but the good of a neighbor (1 Cor. 10:24); Look not only to your own interests but to the interests of others (Phil. 2:4); any scripture involving God's abundant love or grace

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book when teaching children about the joys (and struggles) of generosity. OR Teach this book to explore God's abundant love (or grace) freely and surprisingly given, even when our inclinations are selfishness.