The Three Days

Light a candle and place it on your dining room table, which should be bare except for the cross from Good Friday.

In the beginning…
 
Set a dinner plate (and placemat, too, if you have it) at each place at your dinner table.

The waters swelled…
 
Add a glass for water at each place setting. You don’t need to fill them yet, but think of the deluge when you do.

…God tested Abraham…
 
Sometimes it’s a test to remember on which side of the plate the fork belongs. That’s your test.

…stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it…
 
If you plan to serve wine at Easter dinner, add a wine glass (Red Sea=red wine). If not, put down another water glass, and divide the water yourself.

…eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
 
Place a napkin under each fork. Napkins save your face and dignity when you delight in rich food.

“Come, eat of my bread…”
 
Add a bread plate at each place setting.

A new heart I will give you…
 
Salads are new and green and lettuce has a “heart”, so add a salad plate and fork.

…it was full of bones.
 
Knives are sort of the shape of bones, so add a knife (and butter knife if you like) to each place setting.

…at the time when I gather you…
 
Move your chairs back to the table so you’re ready to gather for dinner.

…[they] threw him into the sea…
 
The sea is salty. Jonah is, too, for that matter. Add salt and pepper shakers to your table.

…as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland…
 
Deck out your table in beauty by adding a centerpiece: flowers, jewels, whatever is lovely for you.

…when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble…
 
And finally, add the spoon, because if you have 2, it’s a musical instrument.