When I lived in Germany as a missionary, I met a family who often invited us to dinner. After we said a prayer before the meal, everyone around the table would join hands and chant, “Fröhlich sei das Abendessen, guten Appetit!” During the chant, they would raise and lower their joined hands in rhythm, almost like shaking hands to the beat.
After Annette and I were married, I introduced this little ritual to our family. We say it before every meal, right after the prayer. We change the word for the meal depending on the time of day. Morgenessen for breakfast, Mittagessen for lunch, and Abendessen for dinner. This became one of the first phrases each of our kids learned to say when they started talking.
We have continued this tradition throughout our entire married life. It is a simple gesture, but it connects us to the family I met in Germany, to one another around our table, and to a sense of joy and gratitude for the food we share.
SIDE NOTE: In German culture, short mealtime rhymes known as Tischsprüche are common expressions of gratitude and joy before eating. The phrase “Fröhlich sei das Mittag- oder Abendessen, was es gibt, wird auch gegessen. Nicht verkleckert, nichts verschütt’ – Guten Appetit!” appears in a children’s collection published by the Ministry of Food, Rural Areas, and Consumer Protection of Baden-Württemberg. Translated loosely, it means: “Joyful be the lunch or dinner; whatever is served, will be eaten. No spilling, no mess—enjoy your meal!” These simple verses help children experience community and thankfulness during shared meals.
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