why so thankful? the reason is coming.

You're jotting down your thanks in a journal every November morning. Or you and your family are sharing what you're thankful for around the dinner table each evening. Or maybe you have one of those sweet little thankful trees on your sideboard, twigs holding the handwritten thanks you've scribbled on paper leaves.

So why are we so thankful all of a sudden? 

Well, it's November! It's Thanksgiving! Of course we're thankful!

Yes, Thanksgiving. True, true. I haven't forgotten. But I think all this thankful is because of something more.

This gratefulness is because it's already here. Advent. Maybe not in formality, but our hearts already feel it, feel His coming. The Son of God is on His way and we can't help but whisper thanks and write them down, our humble offerings set at His feet.

Jesus' coming is why we reach for the hands of our loved ones, why we speak the ways His blessings impact our lives. He is why we gather family in close, heads bowed in prayer and break bread together around pretty decorated tables.

His coming is the reason we want to spread joy and wrap up gifts. He's the reason we already have the irresistible urge to hang twinkle lights up in every corner and then admire them from a cozy spot on the couch.

Our hearts are already counting down the days and the Advent calendar isn't even displayed yet.

The entire holiday season feels so special and intimate and wonder full. And we know why.

He is coming. He is near, almost whisper thin and close enough to touch. The Word in the flesh.

The Light in the darkness.

Oh give thanks.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ~Colossians 1:15-17