Opening and Closing the Sabbath.
Wherever we have gone in the world we have found similar ways of marking the beginning and ending of the Sabbath. The time for sunset in your area can be found on the net or in your local paper. A few minutes before the Sabbath comes in, clothes are changed into something a little more formal and hair brushed, best slippers put on, and Bibles brought to the living room. Even those who are on their own may like to follow something like this.
Then as the time comes the Sabbath is welcomed by kneeling in prayer, to thank God for his Gift, for his watch-care through the week and the way he has led our lives and pray that nothing is said, done or thought that will spoil the Sabbath hours. Prayer can be made for those who may be keeping Sabbath for first time, that the Lord will be with them in special way, then include all those who are working for the Lord.
It is a time when heaven and earth unite – like opening the gates into a little part of heaven for a few hours here on earth. After the prayer, sometimes there is a favourite hymn or someone will play some sacred music. People on their own may telephone someone else who will just be opening the Sabbath to wish them a blessed day. All over the world there is a great community of Sabbath keepers, although they may be individuals in their own homes. At the end of the Sabbath, there is a sense of sadness as the real world has to faced again with all its jarring discord and strife. As the time comes and the sun sets, once again people kneel in prayer to thank the Lord for His blessings, His peace and re-creation during its hours. Quietly the gate is closed on the Sabbath till the next week. Maybe another hymn of praise is sung together in gratitude for His many gifts to us.
The Sabbath needs preparation.
In the Bible Friday is called the preparation day, but preparation for the Sabbath can begin from the Sunday before – the first working day of the week. Food can be cooked and put away in the freezer so that no cooking has to be done on the Sabbath, just heating up. Choose something simple but different, specially for the Sabbath.