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Read Megann Marcellino’s story of how honoring Shabbat at home has blessed her family…

Recently, I shared our family’s journey of the One New Man, how this changed our family culture, and subsequently changed how we honored Shabbat at home…

How We Came to Honoring Shabbat at Home

When Joseph was born, we stayed home for a few months which was followed by an extended trip and then COVID. As a result, we had almost 6 months of Shabbat at home.

This was something I never even considered a possibility. For us, Shabbat was always a corporate experience. However, the season of honoring Shabbat at home was such a gift to us as parents and brought to light an understanding I think we needed in order to build a better faith foundation for our children.

Celebrating Shabbat at Home Changed Us

Ariebella loves celebrating Shabbat with our church family. She looks forward to it every week! But it wasn’t until we began practicing the traditions of Shabbat at home as a family of four that she began to understand that it wasn’t just about seeing her friends.

• We began preparing for Shabbat together, cleaning the houses, and making dinner.
• She began covering her head and lighting candles.
• She learned the blessing in Hebrew and English.
• We sang “Shabbat Shalom.”
• We welcomed peace and rest into our home, and she became a part of the process.

When I was a child, we read “Bedtime for Frances.” However, now as a mom, I don’t recommend it for 4-year-olds. It gives way too many ideas for additional naughty bedtime shenanigans!

Don’t we already have enough?

Water. Check. Song. Check. Favorite blanket. Check. Book. Check. Prayer. Check. Cuddles. Check. Nightlight on. Check. Door cracked. More water. Check.

Can you relate?

January 27, 2021, by Megann Marcellino