This idea was originally posted in our 2020 Covid Thanksgiving suggestions when schools and churches were closed, but it is easily adaptable to ANY year when those "not with us" are on our minds and hearts.

It's called "The Year of the Empty Chair" and is based on an old tradition of "setting a place at the table" for someone who can't be with you (for any number of reasons). In some celebrations, this "empty chair" can represent God's place at your table, or those you miss because they have passed, or those you wish could be with you.

Recall that a place is set for the Prophet Elijah at the Passover Seder table and the "Elijah's Cup" is raised in blessing. His empty chair symbolized the hope and expectation that Elijah would come at any moment or in the year ahead to usher in the Messianic age. You can hear the threads of this tradition in Mark 8:28 when people wondered if John the Baptist was Elijah; and when Elijah appeared in the Transfiguration; and when those at the cross asked if Jesus was calling out to Elijah. From a life application point of view, WE ARE ELIJAH -- the prophets who announce the coming of the Savior of the World.

We can set a grateful place at the table to represent all those who shared the message with us.

We can set a place at the table for those we miss but are grateful to have loved and been loved by.

We can set a place for our selves -- giving thanks that Jesus calls us his friends and welcomes us to his table.

During the meal, take a moment to talk about what the empty chair means to you, those you want to hold up in prayer to God, and offer a prayer.