The Gospel, Thanksgiving, and Family Grace

This painting by Norman Rockwell represents how many of us want Thanksgiving Day to look. And sometimes it does look this way—from the outside.

Advertise on TGC

But often there are underlying tensions and unbelief that make the holidays more painful than joyful.

David Mathis offers some wise counsel, inspired by Randy Newman’s book Bringing the Gospel Home: Witnessing to Family Members, Close Friends, and Others Who Know You Well. Here’s an outline:

1. Pray ahead.
2. Listen and ask questions.
3. Raise the gospel flag early.
4. Take the long view and cultivate patience.
5. Beware the self-righteous older brother in you.
6. Tell it slant.
7. Be real about the gospel.
8. Consider the conversational context.
9. Know your particular family situation.
10. Be hopeful.

A complementary post to read is Russell Moore’s “Family Tensions and the Holidays.” He organizes his counsel around five things to remember, especially for difficult extended family situations:

1. Peace
2. Honor
3. Humility
4. Maturity
5. Perspective