Sometimes it feels like there’s no escape from the bad news of the world. So much bad news can make us forget the good, rob us of peace, and sink us into despair. I’m a huge advocate for the practice of gratitude these days, when the hardships and sufferings of our world seem to press in and around from all sides. When we remember the gifts and unearned graces that surround us, it’s possible to find solace and the energy we need to keep going.

‘Tis the season to be grateful and empowered to do the good work that the Lord has given us to do. That work begins in our homes, around our tables, with our closest friends and family. Together we can hold onto the love of God that has been promised to light the world.

What better time to start this good work than the Thanksgiving after an election, when family members come bearing their various side dishes of grief, angst, fear, joy, elation, and celebration? 

Don’t fret, my friend. You can recenter your family meal around the love of Christ and the work of caring for the creation he gave us. In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Breastplate, here are some ways you can bring sustainability, faith, and gratitude into your Thanksgiving gathering.

Christ in Your Meal Planning

Soak your meal preparation in prayer. Pray for each friend or family member who will partake in your day’s festivities. Pray for those who aren’t able to come. Thank God for the fruits of the earth and the sacrifices of the animals who will feed your guests. Pray that the food that is prepared will nourish the hearts and bodies of the people attending. May the meal fill them with more than calories; may it fill them with a deep awareness of love.

Set Christ as Lord over the planning and shopping, selecting dishes that incorporate local, seasonal produce like squash, apples, cranberries, and root vegetables. Bless the local farmer whose labor makes your meal possible. Make just enough (or enough for one day of leftovers—because who doesn’t love Thanksgiving leftovers?!) and choose recipes that minimize waste.

And opt for filtered tap water over bottled—flavored with some fresh fruit—to add a little something extra without all of those extra plastic bottles.

Christ in Your Decorating

Based on the lengthy sections of our Bible dedicated to the building and decorating of the temple along with the ways God has adorned creation with a wild palette of colors and patterns, it’s clear that God loves beauty. 

Return your table to the garden of Eden by using seasonal items like pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, dried flowers, and branches as centerpieces, which all can be used in the garden or composted later. Opt for cloth napkins and tablecloths, which are both reusable and more elegant than disposable options. Choose eco-friendly candles (like soy or beeswax) to add a glimmer of the light of Christ to your table.

And if you’re in need of more plates and silverware, stop by a thrift shop or vintage store in lieu of disposable utensils. The variety of forks and flatware will add a unique charm to your table and eliminate more plastic waste in God’s oceans, too.

Christ in Your Conversations

Image: RDNE

Season your event with the grace of God from the very start. Make an effort to greet every guest who enters your home with generous hospitality, a warm hug, a genuine smile, and a message that says, “I’m so glad you’re here.” 

You might place a small stone at each seat and invite your guests to hold onto it as they share something they’re grateful for—a gratitude stone could be kept by them as a reminder or placed in the garden.

It’s a common enough practice to thank God and say grace before the meal, but maybe this year, your prayer includes gratitude for the beauty of creation, the abundance of the earth, and God’s provision. You could include Bible verses about gratitude, creation, abundance, and the command to love each other and scatter them around the table for inspiration.

Christ in Your Leftovers

Bring on the leftovers! How great it is to be able to send guests home with extra food! You can eliminate food waste and reduce plastic garbage by reusing containers your guests brought their dish in or go back to that thrift store and the extra plates and bowls you bought—send your guests home with a lovely meal and a pretty bowl.

Involve everyone in the work of clearing the table and cleaning up, which will expedite the process, bless the moms and dads who normally pick up this task, and create a sense of community among all of your guests. There’s nothing like washing and drying dishes together to spark a reminder of the shared love and affection we have for each other.

Christ in Your After-Dinner Activities

Resist the urge to succumb to an afternoon of politicking and pigskin on the TV, at least for a little while. Invest in the people who’ve gathered with you. Nothing makes a person feel more seen and heard than asking about their lives. What’s bringing them joy these days? What’s challenging them? What are they most excited about going into the holidays?

One of my favorite memories of family Thanksgiving meals is of playing board games with my aunts and uncles and cousins, and listening to my parents and their siblings reminisce about their own childhoods. Invite the spirit of the saints who came before us into your family’s gathering—share the stories of the love that came before and the love that brought your family together.

Before the carb coma kicks in, take your family and friends for a nature walk, even if it’s chilly out—some fresh air and fall landscapes can help us connect with creation and with each other, filling us with some good ol’ oxytocin before we give in to the post-turkey nap.

If your family has a shared love for music, invite them to play the guitar or piano and sing together.

Maybe for the rare household, love like this comes naturally, but in my experience, it takes effort to create moments that are saturated with the loving kindness of God. Someone had to make the meal. Someone had to set the table. Someone had to decide to be grateful and joyful. Perhaps this year, that person is you. Set an intention now, to set aside differences of opinions on all manner of things and invite the love of Christ into your Thanksgiving meal. You might regret all kinds of fights, but it is hard to regret extending the peace, joy, hope, and love of God to someone.

Blessings on this beautiful season, friends!