{"id":120103,"date":"2021-11-16T11:30:20","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T18:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/?p=120103"},"modified":"2025-05-21T12:53:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T16:53:44","slug":"friendsgiving-ideas-for-a-more-connected-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/articles\/topics\/holidays\/featured-holidays\/thanksgiving\/friendsgiving-ideas-for-a-more-connected-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"Friendsgiving Ideas for a More Connected Holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"
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My parents were into Friendsgiving before it was cool. Every Thanksgiving, my sisters and I planned on at least one unexpected face\u2014maybe an international student, a family who\u2019d just moved to town, a single who wasn\u2019t traveling to see family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019d show up at the front door, breath puffing in the chill, toting a pumpkin pie or bag of dinner rolls, or a bashful toddler and a pack \u2018n\u2019 play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are the Thanksgiving memories I love most: motley, crowded tables; a vat of mashed potatoes; and laughter floating to the ceiling. Because doubling a recipe and scooting up a folding chair isn\u2019t nearly as hard as you\u2019d think. But it\u2019s a lot more rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I imagine this table to be somewhat reminiscent of God\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n

Come one, come all<\/h2>\n\n\n

God fills His feasts with the lame, the blind, the outcasts (check out Matthew 22:1-10<\/a>). To a group of people He knew were \u201cwretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked\u201d (Revelation 3:17)\u2014yet thought they were rich and prosperous\u2014He said , \u201cIf anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me\u201d (Revelation 3:20).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God loves a good party. In the Old Testament, He commanded seven feasts(!) for His people throughout the year\u2014a shadow, no doubt, of the feasts His people will enjoy in heaven (Revelation 19:9<\/a>). Remember how Jesus\u2019 first miracle was providing wine for a party?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there\u2019s just something about sharing the gift of presence together around the table. In Acts 2, we read about the new Church: “Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (verses 46-47).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, when Jesus visited two disciples walking to Emmaus after His death, they invited Him to eat with them, and \u201che was known to them in the breaking of the bread\u201d (Luke 24:35).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In sharing our tables, we are not the rescuers, but the rescued. We welcome because God\u2019s welcomed us (Romans 15:7<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n

Find holiday encouragement for you and your family in our Holiday Survival Guide.<\/em><\/i><\/span> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>\n

Friendsgiving ideas: Who should I ask?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Your Friendsgiving ideas start here. Before your feast, pray about who God would bring to your table\u2014and keep your eyes alert and your verbal invite ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider inviting those who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n