Looking forward to the Sabbath, and getting ready for it to begin, holds special significance for the Adventist family. The Sabbath is one of the most important and obvious differences between Seventh-day Adventists and other Christians. And learning to celebrate the Sabbath can be an interesting adjustment for new Adventists.

Some people think of the Sabbath primarily as a badge of honor or a sign of loyalty. For others, the Sabbath is less an obligation than an opportunity. As they see it, the Sabbath is much more than something we have to do to be in complete harmony with God’s will; it is something we want to do because it brings us release from the stress and cares of the week and lets us rest and fellowship with God, our families, and friends. It is true that God commands us to keep the Sabbath holy (Exodus 20:8). But He also wants us to find the experience a delight (Isaiah 58:13).

It is not unusual for people to think about things that we shouldn't do on Sabbath. After all, the Bible mentions a number of them. But the challenge of Sabbathkeeping is not to avoid doing things that would break the fourth commandment. The real challenge is to discover the full potential of the Sabbath to bless and enrich our lives.

Anticipation

In order to discover the Sabbath’s full potential, God knew it would take some advance preparation. That’s why He said to "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Looking forward to something increases our enjoyment of it. Important social events like weddings and graduations mean a great deal to us, partly because we dream about them and plan for them so long. For the Sabbath to become everything it can be for us, we must keep it in our thoughts every day of the week.

Preparation

Anticipation naturally leads to preparation. A happy Sabbath means more than looking forward to the day. It also means getting ready for it. A rewarding Sabbath doesn’t just happen, any more than something like a banquet just happens. It is the result of careful planning. We clean our homes, prepare our Sabbath clothes, plan and prepare our Sabbath dinners, and contemplate how and where we will spend the day. Then as the sun sets on Friday evening, the family gathers together to celebrate the opening of the Sabbath with a special worship time. Many families light candles and eat a traditional Friday evening meal.

This planning pays off in many ways. Have you ever experienced a Sabbath morning when the children were crying, Johnny couldn’t find his Sabbath shoes, Dad was honking the horn in the car, and Mom was totally frazzled trying to get everyone ready for church? Without adequate preparation and planning, Sabbath can turn into an unhappy day, and we can miss the blessing God has in store for us.

As we anticipate our Sabbath rest, we tidy up all the details of work during the week so that we can spend time enjoying the Lord’s company on Sabbath. Experienced Sabbathkeepers have learned to block out the cares and worries of the work week and relax in God’s presence for 24 hours each Sabbath. I think that is one of the main reasons Adventists live longer and enjoy healthier lives.

So, as we anticipate our next Sabbath, let’s put some extra time and effort into preparation. Let's be ready to rest and celebrate with our Creator.

Portions of this article were adapted by Ann Fisher from Welcome to the Family, an out-of-print book published jointly by Home Study International and the North American Division, and used with permission. Ann writes from Walla Walla, Washington.