So that I can raise my voice and declare my gratitude,and declare all your wonders. Psalm 26:7
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. But when we were newlyweds, the idea of creating our own family holiday traditions quickly became involved in a process that pleased both family, friends, and church services. The cozy, idyllic image of the holiday tradition has ridden a wave of hectic holiday anticipation.
Over time, holiday expectations have become more flexible. Some were better managed, some were let go, and some were added. Life requires a lot of flexibility, and the holidays highlight that need. Traditions create a beautiful sense of unity and stability, but many traditions are inherited by families and change as new members join. To me, that’s the beauty of Thanksgiving. The basic holiday traditions of Thanksgiving aren’t tied to the food we eat that year, where we spend our time, or even the people we’re with. The core traditions needed to enjoy Thanksgiving are just that. It’s about giving thanks.
The concept of gratitude is so powerful! It unites us even when we are far apart, our perspectives are different, and our circumstances are different.
Thanksgiving connects our hearts to the presence of the Lord
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Enter God’s gate with thanksgivingHis court was received with admiration.
Thank the Lord and bless His name. For the Lord is good. his mercy is eternal
and God’s faithfulness to every generation. Psalm 100:4-5
In the Bible, we see that gratitude and worship are closely intertwined. Thanksgiving is a gate, or doorway, to the presence of God. When we give thanks to God, it connects us to His presence.
As Paul reminds us, it also centers God’s will for our lives. Be thankful for everything. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Interestingly, the Greek word for peace is eirini, which means unity. Throughout the Bible, maintaining peace and having a grateful heart are linked.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Gratitude uniquely invites God’s presence into our experience and brings us into God’s presence.
Thanksgiving brings our hearts and communities together
And it is the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make the voices of praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord audible in unison, and when the songs of praise to the Lord are raised on trumpets, cymbals, and other musical instruments; He said this. “Good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” The house, the house of the Lord, was filled with clouds. 2 Chronicles 5:13
When the Temple was completed and dedicated before the assembly of Israel, it was the communal worship that invited God’s presence into the Temple in a powerful and memorable way.
Going back to a more recent period in history, during the Civil War, when our country seemed more divided than ever, a woman named Sarah Hale led the nation in a small but significant way. I had an idea for unification. She had been pestering presidents for decades, but she finally caught the attention of President Lincoln with her idea to nationalize the Day of Thanks to the Almighty. She hoped that this collective prayer and thanksgiving would unite not only our families but also our nation. Indeed, it seems possible to further strengthen such unity in our country.
Thanksgiving brings families together
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Oh, let us glorify the Lord with me and praise His name together! Psalm 34:3
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. That is exactly what you are called to do as one body. And be grateful. Colossians 3:15
Counting your blessings together as a family is one of the simplest yet deepest family-bonding activities. It refreshes our marriage. It fixes our hearts on God’s goodness and provision as a family, experiencing God together.
Our Thanksgiving traditions have changed over the years. When we first got married, we used to visit three houses in a day. Since we bought a house in the mountains, we can’t go to the main road on Thanksgiving and it snows more often. Some years, like those in Southern California, we have warm days that end with blessings being said around a bonfire. In another year, Santa Anas instigates the power company to shut off the electricity, which is sure to change the menu. Some years we had turkey, some years we had soup. One year, it was the day a family member tragically passed away. Since then, we have continued to mourn his death every year.
But the one tradition we didn’t deviate from was sitting together for long periods of time and counting our blessings together, sharing prayers and gratitude. It’s a holiday tradition you can always afford and can’t afford to miss. While many other holiday traditions strain family peace and unity, this is a tradition that strengthens families.
A nice and easy way to incorporate more gratitude into your family traditions
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1. We keep a gratitude jar filled with praise.
Sometimes I read it on Thanksgiving, and sometimes I read it on New Year’s Eve. It is a tradition that is a blessing no matter when you read it. (If you have young children, it’s super fun to write one each day at the breakfast or dinner table.)
2. Compliment the photo album.
For years I kept a photo album containing memories of God’s work in my life. They weren’t full of travel or anything, but they were days that reminded me of a time when God showed up to me. I am always filled with gratitude when I reread the pages.
3. Worship the Lord as a family.
For some reason, we sometimes subdivide the activities of the church. God did not intend for us to live like that. But sometimes we have difficulty connecting the dots between home and church. Try to spend time worshiping the Lord together as a family at home. Have family members lead the way in song or use recorded music. If worshiping God through song is uncomfortable for your family, extend your family prayer time to worship God.
Especially if you have young children, do a Thanksgiving devotion to center each day on gratitude.
here It’s something that adults and children can do together. Below is another resource from Crosswalk. 10 Devotions to Cultivate Gratitude.
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april mottle I am a pastor’s wife, homeschool mom, and director of women’s ministry. When she’s not waist-deep in the joys and work of being a mother, a wife, and serving in the church, she writes and teaches for women. She will find even more reassuring resources starting in April here and here.
Listen to LifeAudio’s Thanksgiving Podcast
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