An Advent of Thank You

Let Gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.

~Maya Angelou

The end of November has Americans thinking about Thanksgiving and Christians the world over thinking about Advent. This November is also a traditional month for remembering the dead. November’s endings and beginnings can be a source of anxiety ( forget Advent; a busy Christmas season is almost upon us!) or hope. The difference might just be gratitude.

Writing in the early 1300s, Meister Eckhart says. “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is, ‘thankyou,’ it will be enough.” A lifetime feels like a long time to concentrate on one prayer. But what about Advent? What would happen if we dared to make, “thank you” the foundation of our prayers this season? If in the middle of all the busyness we learn to say our nightly prayers kneeling on the “pillow of gratitude”?

Dear Jesus, as November comes to a close, we remember again those who have died and we thank you for the gifts of their lives. We thank you for the many blessings with which our lives are filled. Thank you for Advent, for the chance at new beginnings. for promises of deliverance and salvation, thank you. For these next few weeks, if in your kindness you would grant us once grace, grant us the grace of a grateful heart. Thank you that you hear our prayers and for your boundless love and compassion.

To Ponder: What concrete change can you make to adopt gratitude as “the pillow on which you kneel” this Advent? How can you cultivate the prayer of thank you? How can you share your gratitude with others? ~ Michelle Jones

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