During the holiday season, we are reminded of the story of Mary & Martha. Mary & Martha?s home was a ?gathering place? where people often came to spend time with Jesus.
How incredible would it be if people who enter into our homes this holiday season ?meet? Jesus through our love-filled, selfless actions of hosting, serving, and just being with the people you love and who love you?
When reading the story of Mary & Martha in Luke 10:38-42, we find Martha scurrying around her home, trying to prepare for the people, including Jesus, who have gathered there, while Mary sits intently at Jesus? feet. It?s obvious that Martha is flustered and past her breaking point when she tattles on Mary to Jesus saying, ?Lord, don?t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!?
How many of us have been there? Where we?re at our breaking point during the preparation of a gathering and we begin to whine to God or those around us?
We love how the Lord responds to her, and ultimately responds to each of us. ?Martha, Martha? you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed ? or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.?
Jesus doesn?t rebuke Martha for wanting to prepare her home and a good meal for the friends and family who have gathered. He rebukes her for worrying about the preparations and who is and isn?t helping her. Jesus then emphasizes the important thing we all should be doing ? loving on our Guest with Christ?s love by taking time to be with them.
This is the whole meaning of ?Living in the &?. For your Thanksgiving Gathering, PREPARE. Prepare till your heart is content ? not exhausted ? and don?t feel ashamed for doing it. But when the Guests arrive, be. Be with them, enjoy them, love them and remember the story of Mary & Martha.
We?ve said it before and we?ll say it again ? because we think it?s THAT important. When you open your door, invite friends and family in, and gather around the table, take a moment to remember it?s not about perfection, it?s about the people that gather. Shake off those expectations you have put on yourself, and maybe for the first time ever, enjoy the company that you have coming this Thanksgiving without being exhausted.
To help you prepare simply for your Thanksgiving, we are going to show you how to decorate your home using our Small, Medium, and Large Glass Lanterns. Our intention is to keep it simple, so you don?t feel overwhelmed. And remember, the end product doesn?t have to be perfect. Give it your own flair!
Small Lantern:
Materials needed:
- 1 Small L.E.D.
- Flameless Candle
- 3 AAA Batteries
- Decorative
- Corn from your local craft store
Directions:
Step 1: Insert AAA batteries in L.E.D. Flameless Candle and place lit candle in center of Lantern
Step 2: Place Decorative corn around the candle.
Medium Lantern: Create your own Thankful Tree!
Materials Needed:
- Pine Cones
- Varying sized branches from your background/neighborhood
- Tags
- Twine
- Pens
- Optional: DuckTape for leaves
Directions:
Step 1: Fill bottom of Lantern with Pine Cones
Step 2: Cut branches to desired size and place branches in Lantern
Step 3: Hang Tags on branches to fit personal taste
Step 4: When your Friends and Family come over, have them write down what they are thankful for ? then take time to read them throughout the meal!
Large Lantern
Material Needed:
- 1 Medium LED Flameless Candle
- 3 AAA Batteries
- Large Cinnamon Sticks
- Twine
- Burlap Ribbon
- Pine Cones
Directions:
Step 1: Insert Batteries in LED Flameless Candle.
Step 2: Position Cinnamon Sticks around Candle and wrap tightly with twine.
Step 3: Place lit Candle at bottom (center) of Lantern and fill bottom of Lantern with Pine Cones.
Step 4: Tie Burlap bow around top of Lantern.
And for Christmas, here are simple ideas using all three Lanterns!
Happy Gatherings!
Contact your Consultant to order your lanterns today!