Woodland Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate another harvest season and what the earth has given up for us. To be thankful for provision and deliverance. The earliest of celebrations were a combination of both. At the end of long journeys at sea, travelers offered thanks for safety. And at the end of a uneventful harvest, farmers offered thanksgiving for grains and fruits. Enough to last until the next spring.

In today’s modern world, we’ve lost those deep levels of gratitude. Weather forecasts and grocery stores have replaced uncertainty with prevention. Planes and safe cars have provided much faster and less perilous travel options. But we’re still gathering, year after year, to celebrate. To give thanks. For our families. Our God. Our relationships.

This year, I wanted to bring a little more meaning to our traditional Thanksgiving celebration.

Centerpieces of recycled jars filled with moss remind us that the earth still lives. A little fairy swing in a mini ficus tells us to believe in things unseen.

Pumpkins remind us that without the earth’s harvest, we can’t survive. And wood discs tell us to use our resources wisely because they are limited.

Handmade pottery from a Nicaraguan co-operative tells us that Thanksgiving isn’t just owned by North Americans. It’s a tradition that can be duplicated worldwide. And mushrooms. They remind us to create things that bring joy to our lives.

This Thanksgiving, don’t forget to pause. Turn off the football games. Put away the fliers. And just be present. Be there to talk to your children. Be active in conversations. Remove the outside world for one meal, sit, hold hands, and offer thanks to our Creator and the earth he gave us.

Put things on your tables that make your little children smile.

Use it as an opportunity to dream and make plans for this holiday season. Celebrate. Because we have so much to be grateful for.