Resources to Help Your Family Celebrate a Christ-Focused Thanksgiving

Inside: Here is a collection of resources to help you and your family celebrate a Christ-focused Thanksgiving.

A collection of resources to assist you and your family in celebrating Thanksgiving with a focus on Christ.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it is a great time to reflect on the blessings in our lives and express gratitude to God for His goodness. Celebrating a Christ-centered Thanksgiving helps us keep our hearts focused on the One we are grateful to, and it deepens our appreciation for the true meaning of giving thanks to the Lord in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

“The original Thanksgiving celebration was held by the Pilgrim settlers in Massachusetts in December 1621. After a challenging winter where many colonists died, they expressed gratitude to God for His provision and help. They feasted, prayed, and gave thanks for finding cleared land, religious freedom, and God’s provision. Since then, Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a day to give thanks to God. Throughout Scripture, thanksgiving is emphasized, and it is encouraged always to give thanks to God. The greatest gift God has given is His Son, Jesus Christ, who offers forgiveness and eternal life to those who believe in Him. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, may we be grateful for all of God’s gifts and recognize His goodness in our lives.“
~ Summarized from GotQuestions.org

Below is a roundup of resources to help and guide you and your family in celebrating Thanksgiving with a focus on Christ. These are resources that our family has benefitted from over the years.

Planning a Christ-Focused Thanksgiving Mini Course

Children’s Books:

Eric say thanks by Dai Hankey

The Story of Thanksgiving by Nancy J. Skaermas

Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac

Why Do We Say Thank You? by Champ Thorton

Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson

What is Thanksgiving? by Michelle Medlock Adams

The First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Story by Laura Cross Melmed

Over the River and Through the Wood by Lydia Marie Child

Thanksgiving is Here! by Diane Goode

Adult & Family Reads:

Growing in Gratitude: Rediscovering the Joy of a Thankful Heart by Mary K. Mohler

Practicing Thankfulness: Cultivating a Grateful Heart in All Circumstances by Sam Crabtree

Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember by Barbara Rainey

Thank God by Reuben Bredenhof

The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks: Reclaiming the Gifts of a Lost Spiritual Discipline by Dustin Crowe

The First Thanksgiving: What the Read Story Tells Us About Loving God and Learning from History by Robert Tracy McKenzie

A Treasury of Thanksgiving: Illustrated Poetry, Prose, and Praise by Leland Ryken

Articles:

Thanksgiving as Theological Act: What does it Mean to Give Thanks? @Albert Mohler

What should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving? @Got Questions

30 Day Gratitude Challenge @Revive Our Hearts

Thankful to Whom? @The Cripplegate

Thankfulness @For the Gospel

Separation, Purity & Thanksgiving @Grace to You Blog

Ten Questions to Ask at a Thanksgiving Gathering @Donald Whitney

Audio & Video:

Thanksgiving 101 @Alistair Begg

Thanksgiving @5 Minutes in Church History

Thanksgiving by R.C. Sproul

A Model for Giving Thanks (1 Chronicles 16:8-36) @John MacArthur

Thankfulness to God is a recognition that God in His goodness and faithfulness has provided for us and cared for us, both physically and spiritually. It is a recognition that we are totally dependent upon Him; that all that we are and have comes from God.
Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness

Resources to Help Your Family Celebrate a Christ-Focused Thanksgiving

At the Blog:

Remembering to Thank God for His Blessings

EP 7: Getting Ready for Company Fast: Your Heart & Home

EP 47: Simple Ideas for a Christ-Centered Thanksgiving

EP 153: Christ-Centered Thanksgiving: Simple Planning & Traditions