<h2 data-start="110" data-end="139"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-65379 alignleft" src="https://ultimateradioshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/celebrate-thanksgiving-mbflp.png" alt="Discover simple, meaningful ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with Christ-centered traditions, Pilgrim history, gratitude habits, and family-friendly ideas." width="653" height="980" srcset="https://ultimateradioshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/celebrate-thanksgiving-mbflp.png 1000w, https://ultimateradioshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/celebrate-thanksgiving-mbflp-200x300.png 200w, https://ultimateradioshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/celebrate-thanksgiving-mbflp-683x1024.png 683w, https://ultimateradioshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/celebrate-thanksgiving-mbflp-768x1152.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px" />Celebrating Thanksgiving: Christ-Centered Traditions & History</h2>
<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/making-biblical-family-life-practical/~https://ultimateradioshow.com/making-biblical-family-life-practical/" data-lasso-id="39399">Making Biblical Family Life Practical with Hal & Melanie Young</a>
Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays that still says what it means—giving thanks. But how do we move it beyond food, football, and stress, and turn it into a joyful, Christ-centered family tradition?
In this episode, Hal and Melanie share how you can reclaim Thanksgiving as a time of purposeful remembrance, gratitude, and witness to your extended family—without losing the fun or the feast.

<hr data-start="606" data-end="609" />
<h3 data-start="611" data-end="646">In This Episode, We Talk About:</h3>
Why Thanksgiving is worth “reforming”
<ul data-start="691" data-end="962">
<li data-start="691" data-end="777">
How Thanksgiving is uniquely suited to be a God-centered holiday in modern culture
</li>
<li data-start="778" data-end="873">
The biblical pattern of feasts and memorials (like Passover) as models for our celebrations
</li>
<li data-start="874" data-end="962">
Why Christians should be known for joyful feasting, not just “saying no” to everything
</li>
</ul>
The real story behind the first Thanksgiving
<ul data-start="1014" data-end="1440">
<li data-start="1014" data-end="1088">
The suffering and “dying time” the Pilgrims endured their first winter
</li>
<li data-start="1089" data-end="1166">
God’s providence in Squanto’s story and the empty land where they settled
</li>
<li data-start="1167" data-end="1301">
Why reading William Bradford and Edward Winslow in their own words gives a truer, richer picture than the typical school version
</li>
<li data-start="1302" data-end="1440">
How the character of the Pilgrims and Puritans still shapes the American mindset: conviction, courage, and willingness to do hard things
</li>
</ul>
Making Thanksgiving Christ-centered at your house
<ul data-start="1497" data-end="1769">
<li data-start="1497" data-end="1581">
Why hosting the celebration yourself lets you set the tone, pace, and priorities
</li>
<li data-start="1582" data-end="1679">
Using history, Scripture, song, and simple traditions to turn the day into a living testimony
</li>
<li data-start="1680" data-end="1769">
How these practices can gently impact even very “worldly” or skeptical family members
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-start="1776" data-end="1817">Practical Ideas You Can Use This Year</h3>
1. The Thanksgiving Tree
 A simple, powerful gratitude habit:
<ul data-start="1887" data-end="2234">
<li data-start="1887" data-end="1933">
Tape or pin a paper tree trunk to the wall
</li>
<li data-start="1934" data-end="1991">
Put a basket of paper “leaves” and a pen on the table
</li>
<li data-start="1992" data-end="2098">
Every time you sit down to eat, everyone writes one thing they’re thankful for and adds it to the tree
</li>
<li data-start="2099" data-end="2234">
Over time, the tree fills up and helps your family see just how much God has done—even in hard seasons like job loss or uncertainty
</li>
</ul>
2. Five Kernels of Corn Tradition
To remember the Pilgrims’ real hunger and God’s real provision:
<ul data-start="2340" data-end="2691">
<li data-start="2340" data-end="2397">
Place five kernels of corn on each person’s plate
</li>
<li data-start="2398" data-end="2475">
Have the youngest confident reader read the poem “Five Kernels of Corn”
</li>
<li data-start="2476" data-end="2576">
As you eat, each person shares five specific things they’re thankful for—one for each kernel
</li>
<li data-start="2577" data-end="2691">
This tradition humbles us, reminds us of what our ancestors endured, and helps us appreciate God’s daily mercies
</li>
</ul>
3. Reading and Singing Together
Bring back the old, good traditions:
<ul data-start="2768" data-end="3215">
<li data-start="2768" data-end="2897">
Read from primary sources about the first Thanksgiving (Bradford, Winslow, historic proclamations from Washington or Lincoln)
</li>
<li data-start="2898" data-end="2979">
Share the story of God’s providence in the Pilgrims’ lives in their own words
</li>
<li data-start="2980" data-end="3056">
Sing classic hymns of praise and thanksgiving as a family after the meal
</li>
<li data-start="3057" data-end="3215">
Don’t be surprised when even very “sophisticated” or non-religious relatives are deeply moved—many people quietly long for meaning, ceremony, and reflection
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-start="3222" data-end="3245">Resources Mentioned</h3>
<ul data-start="3247" data-end="4151">
<li data-start="3247" data-end="3745">
We Gather Together (Thanksgiving e-book) UPDATE 2025: This resource is not titled, &#8220;Christ-Centered Thanksgiving&#8221;
 A complete guide to celebrating a Christ-centered Thanksgiving:
<ul data-start="3366" data-end="3684">
<li data-start="3366" data-end="3415">
True accounts and quotes from Pilgrim history
</li>
<li data-start="3418" data-end="3448">
Thanksgiving proclamations
</li>
<li data-start="3451" data-end="3478">
Songs and hymns to sing
</li>
<li data-start="3481" data-end="3542">
Planning pages, charts, and forms for stress-free hosting
</li>
<li data-start="3545" data-end="3617">
Tried-and-true recipes (including how to cook the best turkey ever!)
</li>
<li data-start="3620" data-end="3684">
Scripts and ideas for what to say and do at your celebration
</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f449.png" alt="👉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Learn more at: <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/making-biblical-family-life-practical/~https://www.raisingrealmen.com/product/christ-centered-thanksgiving/" data-lasso-id="39400">RaisingRealMen.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="3747" data-end="4151">
Pollyanna (Unabridged Audiobook by Melanie Young)
 The original, funny, thoughtful story—not the syrupy version!
<ul data-start="3873" data-end="4100">
<li data-start="3873" data-end="3954">
A pastor’s daughter who always looks for God’s blessing in every circumstance
</li>
<li data-start="3957" data-end="4045">
Perfect family read-aloud or listen-together in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving
</li>
<li data-start="4048" data-end="4100">
Helps cultivate a “gratitude habit” in your home
</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f449.png" alt="👉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Find it at: RaisingRealMen.com/Pollyanna
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-start="4158" data-end="4170">Takeaway</h3>
You don’t have to settle for a holiday that’s all about food and football. With a little planning and a bit of boldness, you can:
<ul data-start="4303" data-end="4539">
<li data-start="4303" data-end="4372">
Turn Thanksgiving into a family tradition your kids will treasure
</li>
<li data-start="4373" data-end="4433">
Offer a gentle, powerful witness to your extended family
</li>
<li data-start="4434" data-end="4539">
Reclaim a holiday that’s already about thanking God, and point the gratitude clearly back to Him <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f64c.png" alt="🙌" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="4541" data-end="4544" />
<h3 data-start="4546" data-end="4564">Listen & Share</h3>
You can listen to this episode and others in the series at:
 HalandMelanie.com/radio or by searching “Making Biblical Family Life Practical” on your favorite podcast app.
If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review on iTunes? It helps more families discover the show and recapture their holidays for Christ.The post <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/making-biblical-family-life-practical/~https://ultimateradioshow.com/mbflp-celebrating-thanksgiving-2/">MBFLP &#8211; Celebrating Thanksgiving (Holiday Replay)</a> appeared first on <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/making-biblical-family-life-practical/~https://ultimateradioshow.com">Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network</a>.
<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" alt="" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0;width:1px!important;height:1px!important;" hspace="0" src="https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/928667798/0/making-biblical-family-life-practical">
<div class="fbz_enclosure" style="clear:left"><audio controls="controls" style="display:block;padding:0.5em 0;max-width:100%;"><source src="https://feeds.feedblitz.com/-/928667795/0/making-biblical-family-life-practical.mp3">Click the icon below to listen.</audio><a href="https://feeds.feedblitz.com/-/928667795/0/making-biblical-family-life-practical.mp3" title="Play audio"><img border="0" width="40" height="40" src="https://assets.feedblitz.com/i/podplay.png"/></a></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:0.2em;"><a href="https://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/28/928667798/making-biblical-family-life-practical"><img height="20" src="https://assets.feedblitz.com/i/fblike20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a href="https://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/29/928667798/making-biblical-family-life-practical,https%3a%2f%2fultimateradioshow.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2025%2f11%2fcelebrate-thanksgiving-mbflp.png"><img height="20" src="https://assets.feedblitz.com/i/pinterest20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a href="https://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/24/928667798/making-biblical-family-life-practical"><img height="20" src="https://assets.feedblitz.com/i/x.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a href="https://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/19/928667798/making-biblical-family-life-practical"><img height="20" src="https://assets.feedblitz.com/i/email20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a href="https://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/20/928667798/making-biblical-family-life-practical"><img height="20" src="https://assets.feedblitz.com/i/rss20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;</div>

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

MBFLP – Celebrating Thanksgiving (Holiday Replay)

Making Biblical Family Life Practical

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews