A Gratitude Filled Christmas
I’m really feeling the need to focus on gratitude this Christmas.
Changing our mindset from one of entitlement to one of gratitude is a small change with a huge impact. Someone said, “It’s not happy people who are thankful, it’s thankful people who are happy.” And it’s so true.
Whether or not we have joy at Christmas or at any other time is largely dependent on whether or not we have a spirit of gratitude.
I plan to be really intentional about guiding my children’s hearts, as well as my own heart, toward gratitude this Christmas.
It’s a simple thing to chose gratitude, but it can difficult if our hearts aren’t tuned properly. It’s something we have to be intentional about. We have to consciously choice gratitude over dissatisfaction, especially in difficult situations.
To help us focus on gratitude this Christmas, I’ve created a gratitude advent. It’s more or less a book with a Bible verse and space for writing what we’re thankful for each day in December up to Christmas day. If you would like to join us you can get a free printable copy of the Gratitude Advent here.
If you have an Elf on the shelf or other Christmas visitor, I included a letter that can be used to introduce this activity.
In the first chapter of Luke after Mary is visited by the angel and told that she will be the mother of the messiah, she goes to see her cousin Elisabeth. When Elisabeth is told Mary’s news, she tells Mary how blessed she is to chosen for this task. Mary’s response is, “My soul doth magnify the Lord.”
She recognized that her blessing and the blessings of the nation of Israel came from The Lord. He is the reason for every good thing we have in our lives, and it’s right that we should praise him for it.
The birth of The Messiah was the most extravagant gift ever given. We can never match it’s greatness, but we can express our gratitude and magnify The Lord.
Will you magnify The Lord with me Christmas season?
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. Luke 1:46-55
Download your free printable Gratitude Advent book here, or by clicking the image below.
I’m linking this up with Christian Blogger Community.
