My Christmas memories center around parties spent at my grandparents’ house.

My grandmother put out a spread fit for a king. Before the meal, family members mingled while sampling her wonderful canapés, chips and dip, hot and cold drinks.

Someone always had a piece or two to play on the grand piano.

The white tablecloth and starched white cloth napkins set off the fine china, crystal and silver at her long dining table. Fresh flowers from Grandmommy’s garden ornamented the center of the table.

Grandmommy’s buffet always included a simple salad, followed by the main meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, wild rice, green bean casserole, and rolls. Chocolate eclairs with a dollop of whipped cream topped off the feast. After the meal, Grandmommy served the coffee and tea in gleaming silver pots.

My grandmother was a wonderful hostess, and we always felt like royalty.

As a child, I took these wonderful meals for granted.

But now I think, the only reason I was invited to these wonderful Christmas parties was my relationship. I was the youngest granddaughter and therefore, part of the family.

I wasn’t a guest because I had earned my spot at her table. I wasn’t an ambassador, or world-renowned heart surgeon, or a philanthropist.

No, my invitation to Grandmommy’s house was all about being related. Being family.

Have you ever thought about your relationship with the Lord in these terms? Nothing you’ve done makes you worthy to sit at His table, or to be called His royal child.

Your right to enter His kingdom and be called a prince or princess is only granted because He, the Lord has adopted you into the family. By faith in Jesus, you have been guaranteed a place “at the table.”

What a wonderful thought. Very humbling, too.

Thank You, Jesus, for inviting me to the feast!

“Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.”( Eph. 1:5 The Message)