The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out (26 page)

Switzerland
, The Federal Day of Thanks, Penance, and Prayer, third Sunday in September.

Give Thanks!

However you celebrate this day,
don't forget to give thanks.
God's blessings are so freely given and so abundant. But it's not “
what
we have” so much as “
how
we have it” that give us reason to celebrate with joy and thanksgiving.

Consider this proverb: “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred” (Proverbs 15:16–17 NIV).

Discuss with your family members: “What do you think this proverb means for
our
family? Are we focusing too much on our problems and not enough on our blessings? Are there family quarrels that need to be mended so we can truly give thanks?”

Expand Your Table

The whole family is coming for Thanksgiving? Great! But con-sider adding a few international students from the local college, a few singles from church, or the older couple down the street whose children live in distant states.

At the first Thanksgiving in 1621, Native Americans and European immigrants sat down at the same table and broke bread together. Why not invite a family from a culture or ethnic group different from your own to share Thanksgiving Day with your family? Let each family bring traditional dishes from their own culture. Listen to one another's stories. It will be a Thanksgiving Day you will never forget.

The family can't come this year? Quit moping! Volunteer to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or other ministry that serves the elderly, the lonely, or the poor. Don't just dish out food. Sit and talk with the guests. Play checkers or cards. You will not only be a blessing, but you will be blessed!

A Thanksgiving Mural

Tack a long piece of newsprint or a large poster board some-where near the Thanksgiving table with colorful markers nearby. Encourage family and guests to write their thanksgivings on the mural during the day—no limit! Little ones can draw pictures. Date the mural and save it until the following year . . . then bring it out for everyone to enjoy before starting a new one.

Popcorn Praise

Before serving the food at your Thanksgiving dinner, place three kernels of popcorn on each dinner plate, then pass
around a bowl, inviting each person to tell three things he or she is thankful for as they place their kernels in the bowl. You might assist younger children by suggesting categories: family, God, something fun.

Or . . . pass the bowl at three different times during the meal—before it begins, during the meal, when it's time for dessert. Pick a theme for the thanksgivings each time: “Something that happened this past year” . . . “Why you are thankful for the person sitting next to you” . . . “Something you are looking forward to” . . . etc.

A Family Advent Celebration

Like Jodi Baxter, you may sometimes feel pushed into Christmas by the frenzy and commercialism of the season without a moment to consider the magnitude of God being born on earth to live among us. For centuries, many Christians have slowed their hectic lives during the four weeks before Christmas to focus on the reason for the season by celebrating Advent—a word that means “coming” or “arriving”—a time of reflecting on Israel's long wait for a Messiah in order to prepare ourselves to celebrate His coming. Because of its ancient origin, there are many variations in the tradition, but “Ready My Heart,” a simple carol by Lois Shuford, captures the essence well.

Ready my heart for the birth of Emmanuel

Ready my soul for the Prince of Peace.

Heap the straw of my life for His body to lie on,

Light the candle of hope. Let the Child come in.

Alleluia, Alleluia,

Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born!
²

The Advent Wreath

In the center of your table, construct a wreath of evergreens or holly. (Artificial greens or a wreath of ceramic or wood is less flammable.) Evenly space four purple or red candles in holders around the perimeter. In the center of the wreath, place a large white candle that is one and a half to three inches in diameter.

Traditionally,
purple
has been a color that reminds us of sorrow and repentance, but it is also the color of royalty. The
evergreens
remind us of the eternal life Jesus Christ brings as His gift to us. The glow from all the
candles
reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World.