In the spirit of keeping things light and simple this month, I decided to share a few ideas that can be implemented any time of year with seasonal variations. The point here is to spend time on what really matters – the people in our lives – and avoid falling into the trap of busyness and perfection. Remember Mary and Martha? Let’s try to be more like Mary this holiday season.
Gratitude Game for You: Get out a pad of paper and a colorful felt-tip marker. Set a timer for two minutes. Make a list of things you’re grateful for before the timer goes off. Post it where your family can see it. Let it be a testimony of God’s goodness during this Thanksgiving season and beyond.
Gratitude Game for Your Kids or Your Whole Family: Follow instructions above. The person who has written the most gratitude items in two minutes is the winner and gets a prize. If I were the winner in your house I might want a King-Sized Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup pack or Snickers or Butterfinger . . . yum! If you want to take the winner out for a special treat I highly recommend Dairy Queen’s Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard (or other flavors). Then again, there’s always Baskin Robbins or Cold Stone. Whatever works for the winner in your house!
Place Card Gratitude: Use card stock about the size of a 4×6 card in colors of your choosing. Fold them in half and write names of those who will be present on the outer side. Or decorate them without names. Write a short scripture verse that expresses thanks to the Lord on the inner side for each person to read. The host starts and each person takes a turn. If you have a more diverse crowd, put a number on the inner side of each place card instead. Before or after the meal is served, have everyone look to see what their number is. The person with number one gets to begin the gratitude chain by sharing something they’re grateful for. Go around the table(s) in order.
Nature Walk for Treasures: This is a fun activity with kids and/or friends. Take a nature walk and pay attention to God’s creation. Notice the detail in everything you see this time of year at your location. Here in Colorado the evergreens are dropping cones. We might do a pine cone hunt in our neighborhood. What can you and your kids hunt for? As you collect your treasures, talk about how the Lord has provided for you this year.
Christmas Wreath: Assemble all your nature treasures and make a Christmas wreath that represents your part of the U.S. or the world. Attach a ribbon with your family name, the date, and the installation name and location. If needed, get extra supplies at Hobby Lobby or your local craft store.
Thanksgiving Prayer
Our Father,
Giver of life and breath, we are grateful for your presence. Let us sense it more powerfully this Thanksgiving season. Give a special touch of love, peace, and comfort to our military families who have suffered loss. Make provision in a special way to those who are enduring financial hardship. Let your mercy be felt by those who struggle with deep grief, heartache, and pain of all kinds. Show your goodness and faithfulness to those who wrestle with abuse and betrayal. Draw near to those who feel a wide chasm between themselves and you. Bless with your unconditional love and acceptance those who feel rejected and abandoned.
We are your people; people who desperately need you. Illuminate our lives with your grace and your beauty. Enable us to know you in ever more tangible ways. We gratefully present these requests to you anticipating what you will do on our behalf. Amen.
