Prompt 47: Feast

Life is full of moments worth celebrating. When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to feast?

This year, Christmas was one that I wasn't particularly looking forward to with the recent passing of my Dad. The thought of gathering with my family without him sitting with us in his famous red Christmas shirt was something that I wasn't sure I was ready to cope with.

But despite this, we gathered. My boys and I each wore one of his sweaters in his honor and my mother brought the shirt with her and despite the big hole that he left around the table, we celebrated Christmas together.

While it wasn't the same without him, and there were moments of sadness in our time together, we were able to find our normal Christmas lunch groove.

We gathered around a table adorned with roast pork, smashed roasted potatoes, and fresh salads. The scent of the feast filled the air, and dessert brought chocolate brownies, icecream and a selection of fresh fruits to the table.

One of my boys suggested we each share a highlight of the year (just the type of thing my Dad would often suggest), which turned out to be a brilliant way for us to realise that while the year had been difficult on many levels, there had also been many happy moments.

After the meal, we exchanged gifts, laughter spilling over as we unwrapped surprises and ended the afternoon with our traditional session of board games.

Our time together was a feast—not just for the body, but for the soul. Moments like these remind us of the beauty in pausing to savour life’s abundance.

Feast.

The word itself feels abundant, doesn’t it? Overflowing tables piled high with colourful dishes, the scent of fresh-baked bread wafting through the air, the chatter of loved ones blending with the clinking of glasses. It’s the sheer joy of sharing something good with people you love—a moment where time seems to pause, and abundance is all you see. But a feast isn’t just about food. It’s a mindset. A way of seeing and experiencing the abundance already present in our lives.

In a world that often emphasises productivity and scarcity, the idea of a feast invites us to pause and savour what is. Across cultures and religions, feasts have always been moments of connection, gratitude, and celebration. In my own tradition, Christianity, feasts punctuate the calendar—from Christmas and Easter to Pentecost and harvest festivals. These are not just times to gather and eat; they are profound reminders of the different parts of our faith journey. Each feast carries its significance, pointing us to moments of joy, reflection, sacrifice, and hope within our spiritual walk.

From Thanksgiving dinners to Diwali feasts and Passover Seders to Eid celebrations, these traditions highlight how feasts are woven into the fabric of many faiths and cultures. They serve as reminders of abundance, community, and shared joy—each celebration carrying unique meanings that connect participants to their heritage and beliefs. It whispers, “Take time to enjoy. Delight in the good things.”

What does it mean to feast?

Feasting can be literal, of course. A shared meal. A celebration of flavours and togetherness. But it can also be metaphorical. To feast is to open your eyes to the abundance around you—to delight in the simple joys that life offers every day.

It could be as small as taking a deep breath and appreciating the golden light of sunset. Or as grand as a milestone celebration with loved ones. Feasting is an act of gratitude—a decision to focus on what’s good, rather than what’s lacking.

How to Feast in Everyday Life

You don’t need a banquet to embrace a feast mindset. Feasting can take many forms, from the extraordinary to the everyday. Here are some simple ways to bring feasting into your daily routine:

1. Celebrate Small Wins - Life is full of little victories. Finished a big project at work? Take a moment to acknowledge it. Managed to get through a tough day? Treat yourself to your favourite dessert. Feasting on small wins reminds us that even ordinary days hold moments worth celebrating.
2. Share Abundance - Feasting is best when shared. Invite a friend over for coffee and enjoy a deep conversation that rekindles a connection. Bring a meal to someone who needs encouragement, reminding them they’re cared for. Host a dinner, even if it’s simple, and watch how laughter and shared stories turn an ordinary evening into something extraordinary. Sharing abundance not only strengthens bonds but also creates memories that nourish both heart and soul. It deepens relationships and multiplies joy, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.
3. Savour the Present - In our hurry to move on to the next thing, we often miss the richness of the moment we’re in.
4. Try Something New - This week, challenge yourself to experience something fresh. Visit a new park, try a new recipe, or explore a new hobby. These moments of discovery can feel like a feast for the senses and soul.
5. Revisit a Favourite Memory - Take some time to reflect on a cherished memory—perhaps a family celebration, a holiday, or a special milestone. Feasting on past joys can bring warmth and gratitude into the present moment.
6. Create a Gratitude Ritual - Begin or end your day by listing three things you’re grateful for. This simple practice can help you feast on the blessings already in your life.

A Practice of Gratitude

At its heart, feasting is an act of gratitude. It’s recognising the goodness already present in your life and choosing to embrace it fully. It’s a reminder that abundance isn’t about having more—it’s about noticing what you already have.

So this week, I invite you to feast. Not just with food (though, by all means, enjoy that too!) but with your heart. Remember the moments worth celebrating and the abundance already present in your life. When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to feast? Perhaps the answer lies just ahead, waiting for you to notice. Feast on connection. Feast on beauty. Feast on the simple, sacred abundance of life.