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    Encourage Thankfulness In Advent {30 Days of Thanksgiving Activities for Kids – Day 27} - 2016-11-27 11:30:29-05

With a few days before December starts, I’m posting several ideas on using THANKS to prepare for Advent…Let me know how you prepare for Advent.

This is the first of 4 posts about Thanksgiving, Advent & Christmas.

Yesterday was the 1st Sunday of Advent.

What are you doing to prepare for Christmas through this coming Advent Season?

In our family, we read a special set of Scriptures throughout Advent, to refocus our attention on Christ during the holiday season.  This year, I’d like to try something new…connecting Thanksgiving to Advent & Christmas.

Many of us go around the table saying what we are thankful for this year as we gather together.

A few years ago, my mom added a twist to this tradition.  (I mentioned this in an earlier post) She had each person write on a paper feather what they are thankful for.  At the bottom of the feather, we put our initials.  Then, we inserted the feather into the pinecone turkey so our initials did not show.

After dinner, each person chose a feather. We took turns reading the feather and guessing who wrote it.

At first, I thought it might be a bit corny.  In the end, we had a great time reading, guessing & laughing.  Overall, it was a fun way to give thanks to God for what He has given us.

I don’t want to stop saying “thanks” at Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

Our “thanksgiving season” should continue into Christmas as we look to Christ and his birth.  Personally, I have been keeping a list of “things I am thankful for”.  As a family, we did this about 7 years ago and posted it on the refrigerator.

Your list may begin like mine

• my children whom I admire
• my parents who raised me to follow God forever

If you haven’t been keeping a list through November, now is a great time to start. It will help you stay focused on what God has given you.

Add one item to your list every day throughout Advent.  Tell God “thank you“.

Sometimes, call or write a note telling others “thank you.”  I believe that keeping this “thankful list” will keep us focused on God’s gifts to me, instead of the busy-ness of the Christmas season. Be sure to help your kids start a list too.

I did not include this idea in my  Advent Calendar Countdown  but plan to send this idea to everyone who is getting my free Advent Calendar Countdown.  I think it can be so helpful to our kids as they refocus on thanks-giving and move away from getting.

What else will my thankful list do?

(This week, I’ll continue other reasons for keeping a thankful list, especially when your life appears to have NOTHING going for you.)

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