An Altar of Thankfulness
[bl]W[/bl]hen anger settles in, or irritations gnaw. When schedules keep us distracted, or sleep captures us. We forget to be thankful. When we’re caught up in the good life, or brought down through hardship. We fail to draw close to God with offerings of gratitude. I go days without worshiping this way. Days without praise pouring from my lips. Yet I know that thankfulness births new life. New perspective. It shapes new choices and behaviors. It comforts the soul with hope. And it reminds our spirit that God is near, that he’s present in our story, and he’s always providing something. Whether it’s simply enough or great abundance, He’s here giving.
And we are to be thankful.
But it takes the eyes to see. It takes the heart to notice all the provisions that care for us and hold us in this life despite brokenness.
“Tis the season to be thankful. We’re approaching the day set apart in tradition to recognize the things we are thankful for. Let us sing about them. Speak about them. Tell stories. Proclaim it! Offer to God sacrifices of gratitude, a pleasing aroma that rises from the earth to the heavens that tells the Creator that His people notice. His people care. His people are thankful.
Sometimes we need reminders to live in this way. Visual alters that create a place for us to lay down our offerings. I share with you a Thanksgiving tradition that our family began last year. A tree of thankfulness.
It stands tall in our home. It gathers our gratitude and displays it. To remind us. To proclaim it to others. To offer it to God.
Upon this tree we hang symbols of what we’re thankful for.
And the ribbon that wraps, makes a proclamation Father, we are thankful.
And gifts don’t dwell under this tree. Instead, we gather words, the mere human utterings that insufficiently communicate the emotion of our heart.
Next to the tree, we lay brown paper squares, with one hole punched and a ribbon tied through. And throughout this week, we will make a community offering, writing down that which we are thankful for and hanging these on the boughs of our alter.
May this tree illuminate the language of our heart. And may it be pleasing to the One deserving of our praise.
How is God providing for you? What are the blessings you are counting this week? Who are you thankful for? Refuse the temptation to offer vague gratitude, a simple I’m thankful for what God has done for me, given me. Name it. Count them. Identify the ways you have been blessed, ways God has provided for you, delivered you, healed you, comforted you, redeemed you. Let your heart speak!
And may God be glorified in our gratitude.
We invite you to create your own tree of thankfulness. This tradition will initiate meaningful and intentional moments in your home, as you come together to identify ways God has provided for you and those you live with. It’s a way to prepare your heart for Thursday’s celebration.
Materials needed:
An alter — we used an artificial Christmas tree, but you could also do a smaller version, using branches from outside and placing them in a large vase.
Ornaments that represent — symbols of things you are thankful for, symbols of faith and the Christ who makes it all possible.
Ribbons that proclaim — Choose a light colored ribbon to write words of gratitude (using a permanent marker). The brown ribbon that says Father on it is from Michael’s (in the cut ribbon section, used for funeral/cemetery arrangements)
Offerings of gratitude — Cut paper of any color/shape/size, punch a hole in each one, tie a ribbon through the hole. Leave them near the tree with a marker or pen for people to write on and hang upon the tree.
#398 Two more upstairs
#399 The humble spirit of a daughter who’s not feeling well
#400 Worship in two languages
#401 Discernment among friends, the body of Christ
#402 Only a cut chin
#403 Coffee and prayers before leaving
#404 Iced lattes in the cold mornings, even though it doesn’t make sense
#405 Talking marriage over dessert
#406 Being able to understand the struggle of another because it’s yours too
#407 Strong black arms that swoop up my children and love them deep
