Christmas Tree Lighting

Wednesday Evening, December 3, 2025

Tonight’s episode comes to you from the Christmas Tree Lighting and block party at the Village Green! We learn that while it is important to thank God for all of the good things in our lives, we can take gratitude to the next level when we share our gratitude with others.

Discussion Question(s)

What is one thing from your day today that you are grateful for?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this day and for all of your blessings. And we thank you that everyday has things we can say “thank you” for. Help us to turn on our hearts so that we can see and appreciate all the good things going on around us. We pray that you would give us a good night’s sleep so that we can wake up tomorrow rested and refreshed and ready to be more like the people you made us to be. Amen.

Episode Music: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Ryan Saranich, My Kind of Christmas by Avocado Junkie

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The Family Prayer Podcast was created, written, and hosted by Dan Wunderlich

Speaker: 00:00:01

Hey, everybody, it's Dan.

2

: 00:00:03

And, I'll bet this episode

sounds a bit different.

3

: 00:00:07

That's because I'm recording this

on my phone outside at the Village Green.

4

: 00:00:11

That's the big park in town,

and it's where we have

5

: 00:00:14

our annual Grace Harbor

Christmas tree lighting.

6

: 00:00:17

We've got the big tree

in the center of the field,

7

: 00:00:20

and then all the games and booths

and activities are spread out around it.

8

: 00:00:25

There's a small stage

where the Christmas carolers will sing

9

: 00:00:28

and where they will flip the switch

to turn the tree lights on.

10

: 00:00:32

The event officially kicks off

in about 30 minutes,

11

: 00:00:35

but I snuck off to the side

to be sure we get our time

12

: 00:00:39

together tonight before it gets too crazy.

13

: 00:00:42

As we were driving over,

I asked my daughter what she liked

14

: 00:00:45

about the Christmas party

15

: 00:00:46

and she said, “Drinking hot chocolate

and eating a bunch of cookies.”

16

: 00:00:51

That is

17

: 00:00:52

exactly what I thought she would say.

18

: 00:00:55

But then she said, “I also really,

19

: 00:00:58

really like helping

to give out the cookies.

20

: 00:01:01

I know how happy I feel

when I eat a cookie,

21

: 00:01:05

and so when I give someone a cookie,

22

: 00:01:08

I'm also giving them that feeling.”

23

: 00:01:11

I was so proud of that answer,

because it shows me that she understands

24

: 00:01:16

why we do the cookie booth. Giving away

25

: 00:01:19

the cookies is a way of practicing

gratitude as a church family.

26

: 00:01:23

It's a really tasty way to say,

“Thank you for being our neighbors.

27

: 00:01:28

We hope this cookie makes you feel loved.”

28

: 00:01:30

And that's an example of how

we can take gratitude to the next level.

29

: 00:01:35

It's great to be grateful, you know,

30

: 00:01:38

to recognize

and think about the good things in life.

31

: 00:01:41

It's also great, as we've done

32

: 00:01:43

each night this week, to say thank you

to God for those blessings.

33

: 00:01:47

But especially if the thing

you're grateful for is a person,

34

: 00:01:52

it's extra special

to share your gratitude with them.

35

: 00:01:56

In fact, I've got an idea about how

36

: 00:01:59

we can regularly share our gratitude

that I want to share with you next week.

37

: 00:02:03

I think it's going

to make it a lot of fun.

38

: 00:02:06

Okay.

39

: 00:02:06

I need

to head back over to the cookie booth.

40

: 00:02:09

But before I go,

I want to give you a chance

41

: 00:02:12

to name

something you're grateful for tonight.

42

: 00:02:15

This morning we could pick anything,

43

: 00:02:18

but since we're winding down for the day,

44

: 00:02:21

why don't you try to pick something

or someone from your day today?

45

: 00:02:26

Was there anything good that happened?

46

: 00:02:28

Was there anyone who made you feel

special?

47

: 00:02:30

Did you do anything today where you're

like, “Man, I am so glad that happened!”

48

: 00:02:36

Go ahead and share it with your family.

49

: 00:02:38

And if you started a gratitude list

this morning,

50

: 00:02:40

you can add these things to it.

51

: 00:02:43

If you need more time

52

: 00:02:44

you can pause this podcast,

and I'll be right here when you get back.

53

: 00:02:56

54

: 00:03:05

55

: 00:03:07

Wow, so we

56

: 00:03:09

started our day with gratitude,

and we're ending our day with gratitude.

57

: 00:03:14

It's like we wrapped our whole day

in a big, thankful hug.

58

: 00:03:18

That makes my heart feel good.

59

: 00:03:20

How about yours?

60

: 00:03:22

Oh, and look at that.

61

: 00:03:26

The snow flurries are starting right on

time.

62

: 00:03:30

Let's say a prayer.

63

: 00:03:31

And though you can't be here at the party

with us in person,

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: 00:03:35

maybe your dreams will be filled with snow

flakes and cookies

65

: 00:03:39

and the most beautiful Christmas trees

you can imagine.

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: 00:03:43

If you want to, you can close your eyes

or fold your hands.

67

: 00:03:47

Dear God, we thank you for this day

and for all of your blessings.

68

: 00:03:52

We thank you

that every day has things we can say

69

: 00:03:55

thank you for.

70

: 00:03:57

Help us

to turn on our hearts so that we can see

71

: 00:04:00

and appreciate

all the good things going on around us.

72

: 00:04:04

We pray that you would give us

a good night's sleep

73

: 00:04:07

so that we can wake up

tomorrow rested and refreshed,

74

: 00:04:10

and ready to be more like

the people you made us to be.

75

: 00:04:14

Amen.

76

: 00:04:15

All right. Good night, Grace Harbor.

77

: 00:04:17

I'll talk to you in the morning.

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