“Good morning children,” mother smiled, as Max and Annie walked in the kitchen for morning worship and breakfast.

“Good morning, mother,” both Annie and Max answered at the same time. After eating breakfast, Annie nervously handed a brown envelope to her mother.

“Is this your report card, Annie?” asked mother as she started opening the envelope.

“Yes mother,” Annie smiled nervously.

“Well, I’m sure you’re doing great, now let’s see here.” Mother carefully and silently read the report, nodding and smiling with each line she read.

“Will we be celebrating, mother?” asked Max anxiously, “Has Annie done well?”

“Annie has done a wonderful job! Annie, I am pleased with what this report says.” Mother held her arms open wide and Annie jumped into them for a big hug. “Because you’ve done such a great job, we will celebrate. You may invite some friends over for tomorrow and we will have a special treat.”

“Will Grandpa come?” asked Annie excitedly.

“I’m sure he wouldn’t miss it, I will call him and let him know.” Mother headed for the phone as the two children ran out happily to get ready for school.

As they both walked to school, Annie and Max talked about who they would invite over for their small celebration.

“Maybe you can invite the new neighbours, Annie; there are many children in that house and I’m sure they would like to come,” Max said as they walked past the old white house.

“No Max, I don’t think so, we don’t even know them. Anyways, I’m planning to invite just my group of friends—Sandy, Cindy and Eva. I don’t think Eva likes the new girl anyways.”

“But it’s the right thing to do, Annie,” Max said confused.

“I’ll see you after school Max! I have to go now,” Annie hopped happily to her group of friends who waited for her at the front doors.

The next day came, and mother had prepared a special blueberry pie. The table was full of different types of fresh fruit and other treats. Grandpa had arrived early and had brought some homemade banana ice cream. However, when Annie came through the door, she looked very sad. She was in tears and ran to mother, crying inconsolably.

“Annie, speak, what is wrong?” Mother asked worried, but Annie couldn’t speak.

“Mother, Annie is sad because her friends will not be coming to celebrate with us today. Eva invited the girls to her house to watch a movie and they decided they would go there instead,” Max explained. He was heartbroken to see his sister so sad.

“Well Annie, are you sure there is no one else who would like to come and celebrate with us?” Grandpa asked as he looked at the table filled with all the delicious food.

All of a sudden, Annie stopped crying and she remembered her neighbours. Without saying one word, she ran out to the old white house and invited all the children. In a matter of seconds, the house was filled with grateful children who had never seen so much colourful food in one meal.

Later that evening, Grandpa told the children the parable of the banquet. Jesus had spoken about a man who had invited special guests to his banquet. However, his guests made up excuses and rejected the invitation. This saddened and angered the king, who then decided to invite anyone who was willing to come. Grandpa then explained that Jesus was inviting each human being to a great spiritual feast, and many people would make excuses; however, some would be willing to attend that great feast and many times they were people who we would least expect.

“So, does this mean we should not just invite those who are special to us, but everyone?” asked Annie, as she thought about her neighbours.

“We should be like Jesus, who invites us all. We are all special to Him and the banquet He is preparing is the greatest ever seen. We should accept His invitation,” Grandpa explained.

“I want to be at that banquet, Grandpa!” Maxed said anxiously.

“Me too!” said Annie.

“Let us pray and tell Jesus that we accept His invitation then,” Grandpa held his grandchildren’s hands as they prayed.