Tue, Nov 23, 04
![]() Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
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![Happy Thanksgiving]() |
Whether you're carving turkey, baking pumpkin pie, taking in football games, or relaxing with friends and loved ones, let us join you in giving thanks to the One who's blessed us!
To help you celebrate, we're offering special Thanksgiving articles to inspire and enrich your traditions on this special day. Don't miss our featured article, "Thanksgiving at Fair Acres," and then be sure to visit our Thanksgiving channel. To keep you up to date, we've also included new articles from ChristianityToday.com.
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We hope you enjoy your time of rest and remembrance of all that we have to be grateful for, and the God to whom we owe our thanks. We hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving.
The ChristianityToday.com Team |
Thanksgiving at Fair Acres
A meal with my mother and other nursing-home residents opened a small crack in their stony detachment, and gave a brief glimpse of the kingdom of heaven.
by Virginia Stem Owens
When I was a teenager, my church youth group made an annual Christmas pilgrimage to what people then called the "old folks' home." We took small wrapped gifts, perhaps a comb and bottle of after-shave for men, handkerchiefs, and hand cream for women. Our youth leader did all the cheery talking. We only had to sing and grin. The more virtuous or socially skilled among us might shake a few claw-like hands or pat several bony shoulders. The rest of us just sang carols, crowding around the bedside of strangers while exchanging sidelong glances to let one another know we understood this wasn't real, that we had no personal connection to all this creepy weirdness. As soon as we could, we escaped into the cold night air outside, our pent breath exploding in blasts of laughter.
I was not one of the better people. I dreaded these nursing-home excursions, and not merely because of the sensory and metaphysical assaults aging flesh inflicts on the young. Even at 15, I knew that we were putting on an act, performing—in all the variations of that word's meaning—our Christian duty.
| Read the rest of this article |
- New York's New Hope
>From inner-city gardens, to fine-art exhibitions, to political activism, street-smart churches are changing the culture of America's largest and most dynamic city.
- The Parable of the Janitor and the CEO
An inspiring and poignant reminder of what constitutes success in God's eyes.
- Moving Violations
My husband's promotion meant uprooting our big city life to a small rural town. And I didn't like it.
- Coping with Loss, Crisis at Home After Iraq
Tragedies are inevitable but never expected. When the next one occurs, will your church be strengthened or shattered?
- Reel News: Tom Hanks leads The Da Vinci Code
Star actor to play lead role in upcoming film; Mel Gibson lauded; Evanescence to do Narnia music; Jim Carrey's many paths to God; possible sitcom for Saved!; animated Noah's Ark sets sail.
![Watch for the Light]()
Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
An unparalleled "holiday" anthology of wisdom, beauty,
spiritual nourishment—and disarming reflection! Features
exquisite essays from well-known authors. $4.99
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![Christmas by the Fire]()
Christmas by the Fire, CD
Includes "Let It Snow! Let It Snow!," "O Holy Night," "Sleep
Tight," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," "O Little Town of
Bethlehem," "Silent Night! Holy Night!," and more. $1.99
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![A Charlie Brown Christmas]()
A Charlie Brown Christmas, Video
The Emmy and Peabody Award winning film follows Charlie
Brown and friends as they discover the true meaning
of Christmas. $10.99
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![The NIV Student Bible]()
Attention Parents!
The NIV Student Bible is perfect for older teens and young adults. Designed to help teens overcome obstacles in reading the Bible, it gives them insight into the message, and subject guides so they can find what they're looking for. Also includes 3 different reading plans. Give them one today!
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![Special Gift Offer]()
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