How to Keep Christ at the Center of Your Thanksgiving This Year
With all the focus on food, family, activities, and Pinterest-perfect tables, how much of Jesus do you put your focus on during the season of Thanksgiving?
At our Thanksgiving table, we have a tradition… Every person shares what they are “thankful for” from the past year.
Thus, we began this at the very first Thanksgiving we hosted in our home.
Our children were young and they grew up knowing that if there was only one time and one time only, it was at the Thanksgiving table we shared our grateful hearts.
To make it even more fun for the children and to teach them how important being thankful is, we incorporated these fun activities over the years.
Beginning November 1st, our family would leave a THANKFUL JAR in the middle of the table, and every time we were thankful for something during the month, we would write it on a slip of paper and place it in the jar.
These would be shared during dessert on Thanksgiving Day.
Indeed, we enjoyed trying to guess who wrote each one.
A THANKFUL TREE
A THANKFUL TREE was made out of items found on a nature walk and we would post what we were thankful for Thanksgiving morning on colored leaves.
We would then hang the leaves on the tree branches to be shared after our meal.
Even our guests for dinner would participate.
SCRIPTURE PLACE CARDS
SCRIPTURE PLACE CARDS. When the children were older, each child had to find bible verses representing thankfulness and write them down on place cards to set at each person’s table setting.
They could be as creative as they wanted to decorate their cards. It was always a joy to see what verses they chose and see their creativity in action.
These were a few ways we taught our children the importance of making much of Jesus during the Thanksgiving season.
It also served as a testimony to extended family and friends who otherwise thought of Thanksgiving Day as just another day.
It gave the holiday purpose.
What about when Thanksgiving Day is over?
Do Jesus and the spirit of Thanksgiving remain in your heart?
Do you continue to make much of Him as you prepare for Christmas and beyond?
Or is He only there once a year at the Thanksgiving table?
The spirit of Thanksgiving and making much of Jesus needs to be in our thoughts and hearts every single day.
Giving thanks for not only the big moments in our lives or the answered prayers we spent so much time praying over but in all the little, insignificant moments that make up our days.
Making much of Jesus when we are preparing dinner and giving thanks for the modern conveniences of cooking a meal.
Additionally, we make much of Jesus when we are taking a warm shower, giving Him thanks for running water.
Making much of Jesus when our car breaks down and being thankful we have a cell phone to call for help.
Making much of Jesus as we tuck our little ones in at night, thanking Him for the gift of children, when many suffer from infertility.
When you are having a complaining, grumpy day, find one person to whom you can show a little appreciation.
It can be a kind word or deed.
3} Share Love.
Offer yourself up to bless other people.
Give a gift or make a card for someone who is going through a rough time.
Collect items for a food shelf, or donate gently used toys to a shelter.
4} Volunteer.
There is so much need in the world.
Even a couple of hours a week can make a difference in life.
Make much of Jesus by giving your time.
5} Thank God Before You Sleep.
If keeping a thankful journal is not your thing, at least thank God every night before you lay your head down to sleep for three things you are thankful for from your day.
He hears every one of our prayers.
Gratitude.
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events.”
Melody Beattie
As we gather together this Thanksgiving, let us make much of Jesus in both our hearts and our spirits and be the blessed testimony to those He puts in our path.
Mother to three lovely daughters, all grown up, and “Grammie” to her two precious grandchildren.
A transitional kindergarten teacher by day she considers it a privilege to teach little ones the love of Jesus along with instilling in them a love for learning.
She seeks to let these words guide her in everything she writes; “Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Blessed wife of Randy for over 25 years, mom to two great college students, blogger, women's ministry coach, speaker and author who is amazed by God's grace-
It is so beautiful. I think it’s just in time for Thanksgiving. Loved reading the article because it’s so well-written and interesting. There are a lot of things that I didn’t know about before, which is really neat to learn about.
Melanie, this was such a treasure for me to have read today. There sure is something to be thankful for everyday. These are wonderful suggestions. I appreciate your insights and encouragement within. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Michelle, for sharing such wonderful ideas for Thanksgiving.
I loved reading about your family traditions and all of the practical ways you point your family to Christ.
You are a sweet blessing, and I pray that God will bless you and your family during this holiday season~
Melanie
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It is so beautiful. I think it’s just in time for Thanksgiving. Loved reading the article because it’s so well-written and interesting. There are a lot of things that I didn’t know about before, which is really neat to learn about.
Thank you so much!
Sure do appreciate you stopping by to read and leave a good word!
Blessings to you today,
Melanie
Melanie, this was such a treasure for me to have read today. There sure is something to be thankful for everyday. These are wonderful suggestions. I appreciate your insights and encouragement within. Happy Thanksgiving.
Amen, Paula!
Thank you so much for letting me know!
I’m so blessed that you stopped by and left a kind word!
Blessings to you,
Melanie
Beautiful article just in time for for Thanksgiving! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, sweet friend!
Hope you and your family will have a blessed Thanksgiving week!
Thank you, Michelle, for sharing such wonderful ideas for Thanksgiving.
I loved reading about your family traditions and all of the practical ways you point your family to Christ.
You are a sweet blessing, and I pray that God will bless you and your family during this holiday season~
Melanie
I love this post! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. 🙂 Pinning all around!
Thank you, Betsy!
You bless me greatly~
Melanei
Thank you, Betsy!
You bless me greatly!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend~
Melanie