Proposing a Toast

Proposing a toast or drinking a toast to someone has a few explanations. Most of them does relate to actual toast though. According to legend the word is derived from the 18th century English custom of covering a glass of hot wine with a slice of toast. It was then passed around the table. Each person had the opportunity to lift the toast, take a sip of wine and say a few words. The glass ended up with the person being “toasted”, who got to eat the piece of bread.
I am always interested in these useless, but very interesting bits of information.


Another interesting custom around the drinking table is the lifting and touching of glasses. There was also significance in that. The touching of the glasses, while people were looking each other in the eye had the purpose of actually mixing the content of your own glass with that of the person you were toasting with. In that way you it was ensured that nobody at the table were at the risk of being poisoned.


All very interesting, but through reading it all I realised that the act of dining and having a drink together is very significant. It is an opportunity to wish someone well, an opportunity to interact, find out how someone is really doing. I think it is very difficult to hide being unwell, when you have to eat in front of someone else.


I find the whole act of eating very intimate, almost holy. It is time during the day, when I am nurturing my own body, and it is always a privilege to share it with people who are close to you and whom you love.


Jesus also realised the importance of eating and breaking of bread together. There are so many of his wonders that revolve around eating and drinking. He also chose bread and wine as symbols for his body and blood that he spilled on the cross for us.


I believe that we should treat every opportunity to have a meal with someone we love with the utmost respect.


Make time to do that. And propose a piece of toast to an honorary guest.