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6. Christmas Tree Lighting - Wednesday Evening · Family Prayer Podcast

• 0:01
  Hey, everybody, it's Dan.
• 0:03
  And, I'll bet this episode sounds a bit different.
• 0:07
  That's because I'm recording this on my phone outside at the Village Green.
• 0:11
  That's the big park in town, and it's where we have
• 0:14
  our annual Grace Harbor Christmas tree lighting.
• 0:17
  We've got the big tree in the center of the field,
• 0:20
  and then all the games and booths and activities are spread out around it.
• 0:25
  There's a small stage where the Christmas carolers will sing
• 0:28
  and where they will flip the switch to turn the tree lights on.
• 0:32
  The event officially kicks off in about 30 minutes,
• 0:35
  but I snuck off to the side to be sure we get our time
• 0:39
  together tonight before it gets too crazy.
• 0:42
  As we were driving over, I asked my daughter what she liked
• 0:45
  about the Christmas party
• 0:46
  and she said, “Drinking hot chocolate and eating a bunch of cookies.”
• 0:51
  That is
• 0:52
  exactly what I thought she would say.
• 0:55
  But then she said, “I also really,
• 0:58
  really like helping to give out the cookies.
• 1:01
  I know how happy I feel when I eat a cookie,
• 1:05
  and so when I give someone a cookie,
• 1:08
  I'm also giving them that feeling.”
• 1:11
  I was so proud of that answer, because it shows me that she understands
• 1:16
  why we do the cookie booth. Giving away
• 1:19
  the cookies is a way of practicing gratitude as a church family.
• 1:23
  It's a really tasty way to say, “Thank you for being our neighbors.
• 1:28
  We hope this cookie makes you feel loved.”
• 1:30
  And that's an example of how we can take gratitude to the next level.
• 1:35
  It's great to be grateful, you know,
• 1:38
  to recognize and think about the good things in life.
• 1:41
  It's also great, as we've done
• 1:43
  each night this week, to say thank you to God for those blessings.
• 1:47
  But especially if the thing you're grateful for is a person,
• 1:52
  it's extra special to share your gratitude with them.
• 1:56
  In fact, I've got an idea about how
• 1:59
  we can regularly share our gratitude that I want to share with you next week.
• 2:03
  I think it's going to make it a lot of fun.
• 2:06
  Okay.
• 2:06
  I need to head back over to the cookie booth.
• 2:09
  But before I go, I want to give you a chance
• 2:12
  to name something you're grateful for tonight.
• 2:15
  This morning we could pick anything,
• 2:18
  but since we're winding down for the day,
• 2:21
  why don't you try to pick something or someone from your day today?
• 2:26
  Was there anything good that happened?
• 2:28
  Was there anyone who made you feel special?
• 2:30
  Did you do anything today where you're like, “Man, I am so glad that happened!”
• 2:36
  Go ahead and share it with your family.
• 2:38
  And if you started a gratitude list this morning,
• 2:40
  you can add these things to it.
• 2:43
  If you need more time
• 2:44
  you can pause this podcast, and I'll be right here when you get back.
• 3:09
  started our day with gratitude, and we're ending our day with gratitude.
• 3:14
  It's like we wrapped our whole day in a big, thankful hug.
• 3:18
  That makes my heart feel good.
• 3:20
  How about yours?
• 3:22
  Oh, and look at that.
• 3:26
  The snow flurries are starting right on time.
• 3:30
  Let's say a prayer.
• 3:31
  And though you can't be here at the party with us in person,
• 3:35
  maybe your dreams will be filled with snow flakes and cookies
• 3:39
  and the most beautiful Christmas trees you can imagine.
• 3:43
  If you want to, you can close your eyes or fold your hands.
• 3:47
  Dear God, we thank you for this day and for all of your blessings.
• 3:52
  We thank you that every day has things we can say
• 3:55
  thank you for.
• 3:57
  Help us to turn on our hearts so that we can see
• 4:00
  and appreciate all the good things going on around us.
• 4:04
  We pray that you would give us a good night's sleep
• 4:07
  so that we can wake up tomorrow rested and refreshed,
• 4:10
  and ready to be more like the people you made us to be.
• 4:14
  Amen.
• 4:15
  All right. Good night, Grace Harbor.
• 4:17
  I'll talk to you in the morning.