Making Biblical Family Life Practical with Hal & Melanie Young

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.

Why Thanksgiving is worth “reforming”

How Thanksgiving is uniquely suited to be a God-centered holiday in modern culture

The biblical pattern of feasts and memorials (like Passover) as models for our celebrations

Why Christians should be known for joyful feasting, not just “saying no” to everything

The real story behind the first Thanksgiving

The suffering and “dying time” the Pilgrims endured their first winter

God’s providence in Squanto’s story and the empty land where they settled

Why reading William Bradford and Edward Winslow in their own words gives a truer, richer picture than the typical school version

How the character of the Pilgrims and Puritans still shapes the American mindset: conviction, courage, and willingness to do hard things

Making Thanksgiving Christ-centered at your house

Why hosting the celebration yourself lets you set the tone, pace, and priorities

Using history, Scripture, song, and simple traditions to turn the day into a living testimony

How these practices can gently impact even very “worldly” or skeptical family members

1. The Thanksgiving Tree

Tape or pin a paper tree trunk to the wall

Put a basket of paper “leaves” and a pen on the table

Every time you sit down to eat, everyone writes one thing they’re thankful for and adds it to the tree

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

2. Five Kernels of Corn Tradition

To remember the Pilgrims’ real hunger and God’s real provision:

Place five kernels of corn on each person’s plate

Have the youngest confident reader read the poem “Five Kernels of Corn”

As you eat, each person shares five specific things they’re thankful for—one for each kernel

This tradition humbles us, reminds us of what our ancestors endured, and helps us appreciate God’s daily mercies

3. Reading and Singing Together

Bring back the old, good traditions:

Read from primary sources about the first Thanksgiving (Bradford, Winslow, historic proclamations from Washington or Lincoln)

Share the story of God’s providence in the Pilgrims’ lives in their own words

Sing classic hymns of praise and thanksgiving as a family after the meal

Don’t be surprised when even very “sophisticated” or non-religious relatives are deeply moved—many people quietly long for meaning, ceremony, and reflection

We Gather Together (Thanksgiving e-book) UPDATE 2025: This resource is not titled, “Christ-Centered Thanksgiving”

True accounts and quotes from Pilgrim history

Thanksgiving proclamations

Songs and hymns to sing

Planning pages, charts, and forms for stress-free hosting

Tried-and-true recipes (including how to cook the best turkey ever!)

Scripts and ideas for what to say and do at your celebration

Learn more at: RaisingRealMen.com

Pollyanna (Unabridged Audiobook by Melanie Young)

A pastor’s daughter who always looks for God’s blessing in every circumstance

Perfect family read-aloud or listen-together in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving

Helps cultivate a “gratitude habit” in your home

Find it at: RaisingRealMen.com/Pollyanna

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:

Turn Thanksgiving into a family tradition your kids will treasure

Offer a gentle, powerful witness to your extended family

Reclaim a holiday that’s already about thanking God, and point the gratitude clearly back to Him

You can listen to this episode and others in the series at:

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The post MBFLP – Celebrating Thanksgiving (Holiday Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.