How Thanksgiving Gratitude Turns into Christmas Attitude

Inside: A feeling of blessing hours was before becomes a self-centered focus to try and beat others to our gadgets and goodies. How did our attitude change?

Last year, my daughter and I decided to hit some stores open on Thanksgiving. We planned, strategized and spent the entire day watching the clock to make our quick exit in order to get great deals.

We left when I still had guests at my house because I had to get what I wanted.

Just like my guests, I know God felt neglected because I had spent my whole day focusing on this shopping, instead of the thankfulness I should have been feeling.

Once Thanksgiving is over, don’t we lose the focus of gratitude?

My thankful heart quickly changed into an acquiring heart.

How long is Thanksgiving in our culture? A mere 8 hours, done by 5 pm?

 

The Toilsome Temperament

The stores open earlier and earlier every year and our hearts tend to move right along with the attitude of hustle and bustle. A feeling of blessing hours before becomes a self-centered focus to try and beat others to our gadgets and goodies.

Culture shouts at us, do more Christmas, get the latest gadgets and the newest toys.

 Is it all at the expense of our grateful hearts?

Is it ok to become like the Joneses during the Holiday season?

We’ve become stressed, tired zombies keeping up with the culture. Would we notice a huge shift in perspective if we maintained our grateful hearts with the bullseye on the Reason for the Season?

Why only 30 days of gratitude around Thanksgiving? Could we make it 365 days with major emphasis put on Holidays where we reflect even more on God’s goodness and blessings?

I need an attitude adjustment this year. I’m intentionally chucking the Christmas attitude for a Thanksgiving gratitude lasting throughout the year.

The Marriage of a Thankful Heart with a Fussing Heart

Is it possible for these 2 hearts to come together during this time of the year? Can we maintain the feeling of thanksgiving amidst the cultural pull to have-everything-Christmas?

God has already given us an example in the Bible for such a time as this.

(Luke 10:38-42, NLT).

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

God isn’t telling us fussing is wrong in itself, but when it causes us to lose the meaning of life and the season, we need an attitude adjustment. We aren’t spending enough time at our Savior’s feet when bitterness and feelings of being overwhelmed cause us to grumble at loved ones or become resentful.

 A heart of gratitude intertwined with a heart of attitude can be remedied at our Savior’s feet.

Six Simple Steps to Keep You Thankful Amidst the Turbulence this Season

1. Begin your day at the Lord’s feet
2. Focus on the blessings in your life
3. Pause throughout the day to remember His goodness
4. Let certain objects like Christmas trees, and lights remind you of the celebration awaiting you in Heaven
5. Offer to help someone in need this season
6. As you prepare for the Holidays through buying, wrapping and decorating, remember how God has prepared as a place for you in Heaven, by wrapping his son in clothes within the manager and decorated your deliverance by the cross.

We find Jesus when we step back from our tasks. Less action when at the Savior’s feet is certainly more of everything.

Our culture would have us believe the opposite. More materialism does not help us find Jesus.

 Christ is not found in the production, but in the peace.

Here is where we can leave our culture behind and graciously find the newborn babe in the manger. We can maintain this thankfulness which lasts throughout the year. We can participate in the jovial Christmas atmosphere without accepting the cultural norm, but rather finding the Reason for the Season.

Do you not feel, my brethren, that the gospel of God is peace to man? Where else can peace be found but in the message of Jesus? ~Charles Spurgeon

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