THANKSGIVING FOR CHRISTMAS

If you follow my status on Facebook you are probably wondering why I am decorating for Christmas when it isn't even Thanksgiving.  You're probably thinking "does she have Thanksgiving Dinner in the midst of her Christmas decorations?"  Well sort of.

Several years ago Christmas Day became more of a source of frustration than a celebration.  With two grown children and a family forest, it seemed we were spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (and several days prior to and following) running from house to house spending a few minutes in each place saying MERRY CHRISTMAS!  We were exhausted and not enjoying the holidays, certainly not focusing on Jesus, the real reason for the season.

I read an article in the Focus on the Family Magazine written by a mom in my same situation.  She had found a solution for her family.  Thanksgiving for Christmas.  After reading the article I called a family conference and we all agreed to reserve the Friday after Thanksgiving every year for our family celebration of Christmas.  This will be our sixth year.

I take off work the week of Thanksgiving and begin decorating, wrapping (shopping is done) and cooking. We spend Thanksgiving Day with our respective in-laws, cheer for the Aggies wherever we are and eat lots of turkey. 

Everyone is at our house Friday morning for breakfast. Gifts are exchanged, family pictures taken and we light the Advent Candle. (the Sunday following will be the first Sunday of Advent).  This is a very special family time to reflect on the birth of our Savior and what the Christmas season is all about.  Each of us have a verse to read and this year our grandaughters are memorizing a verse to share. 

I serve Mexican food for lunch.  Afterwards we watch football, take naps on the couch and play games.  It's such a fun day of fellowship and relaxation.  It's my favorite day of the year!

Now you ask, what do you do on Christmas Day?  The first year was a little weird, but now we just play it be ear.  We sleep in, drop in on friends, have lunch with Jeff's family, and visit our San Antonio grand kids in the afternoon to see what Santa brought.  This year Christmas falls on Sunday so we will be in Church. It's a quiet day and we can truly reflect on Jesus birth and the Reason for the Season.

I love Thanksgiving for Christmas!