In just a few short weeks, many households around the US will become beehives of activity with Thanksgiving preparations. Pies baking, turkeys thawing, and table decorating will fill our to-do list. Some homes will fall into chaos as they rush around, hoping to create a picture-perfect day for their family and friends.
Once we finish eating and complete the cleanup, many of us collapse into a turkey coma as we watch our favorite teams on TV. Early to bed and early to rise for Black Friday sales to begin the Christmas season.
Preparations of Our Hearts
Sometimes, I feel like we rush through Thanksgiving and jump right into the Christmas season. Have we forgotten the importance of taking time to give thanks? For many, the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas becomes a blur of activity that leaves them exhausted. This holiday season, I want to include preparations that fill my heart with thanks for all the things that Christ has done for me.
I want to tune out the noise and activities that the world creates during the holidays and listen. I want to be intentional about how I fill my time this season. Of course, preparations will still happen, but they will include a time of reflection and prayer so the Lord can prepare my heart for His purposes.
Preparations for Reflection
For my reflections during this holiday season, I want to take time to give thanks for these gifts my Heavenly Father gave me:
- He gives us forgiveness, so we can forgive.
- Christ shows us love, so we can love.
- Jesus extends us grace, so we can give grace.
- He showers us with abundance, so we can share abundantly.
- Christ gives us salvation, so we can share it with others.
I want my heart to focus on how God’s grace and love changed my life and to thank Him for the many blessings.
Be Still
But to fulfill this task, I must take the time to be still and listen. Here are a few quotes to help me remember to be quiet:
“In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourselves and be still. Wait upon God and feel His good presence; this will carry you evenly through your day’s business.” William Penn.
“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” Ram Dass.
And we also find many verses in the Bible to remind us to tune out the sounds of the world and focus on God:
- Psalm 46:10 (NIV): “He says, Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
- Psalm 37:7 (NIV): “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
- Psalm 1:2 (NLT): “But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”
And when we spend time with Christ, we find peace even in the craziness of the commercial holiday season.
- Colossians 3:15 (ESV): “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
- Philippians 4:7 (ESV): “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
So, as we prepare for Thanksgiving, I pray we focus more on our faith than on the season’s festivities. Our faith calls us to live a different life than the rest of the world. Romans 12:2 (ESV); “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Prayer of Preparation
Dearest Heavenly Father. Please help us make this holiday season more about you. Please show us how to replace the season’s stress with Your peace and joy. Thank you for the Christmas gift of Your Son to save us. Let us show the world how to celebrate the true meaning of this holy season. In Jesus’ most holy name. Amen.
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Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Thank you for always sharing inspiring messages. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! 🙂
Thank you Melissa. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁
So important that we keep God in our preparations this Thanksgiving Season by including time for reflection and prayer so the Lord can prepare our heart for His purposes. This, I believe, should become out #1 goal!
Thank you Candyce. I agree. We must intentionally make giving thanks to God a priority. God bless
Thanks for the reminder that God has forgiven us so we can forgive others, love us so we may love, provided so we can give to others, etc. All we have comes from God and not ourselves.
Amen Joanna. We all need the reminder especially as things get extra busy during the holidays. God bless.
This is such an important message, Yvonne. How easy it is to run through life. Even “for the Lord.” But He calls us to be with Him and enjoy His presence. May you have a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving!
Thank you Melissa and may your Thanksgiving be blessed ❤️
So good, Yvonne! One thing our family does every year: We get a small pumpkin and write down things we’re grateful for, everything from each other and big stuff to silly things. It helps get our minds in gear!
What a great idea Jessica. Thank you for sharing. God bless
Love this, Yvonne. I agree about the rush through Thanksgiving onward to Christmas. But thanksgiving from the heart should be all year long. I enjoyed your thankfulness for the gifts from God, the verses, and your closing prayer. Great reflections here!
Thank you Karen. I pray you always slow down enough to have time to give thanks. Blessings to you
In the hustle and bustle of these holiday seasons, yours is a much appreciated message. I hear your “be still” loud and clear and pray that we all can focus on our Father and Savior during each of our celebrations. Love the scripture you shared. Wishing you joy and blessings, Yvonne.
Thanks so much Katherine. I pray Christ will be the central figure in this season. God bless