As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, many of us are preparing to celebrate not only with family but also with friends through the tradition of “Friendsgiving”. Although Friendsgiving is a modern cultural trend, it’s a great opportunity to show the love of Christ to our neighbors and communities and is often a very fun event to host!
Even if you are able to be with your family this Thanksgiving, why not have a Thanksgiving and a Friendsgiving? Hosting a traditional Thanksgiving and a Friendsgiving can be great fun and give us an opportunity to fellowship with our biological family, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and our unbelieving friends and neighbors.
When done well, Friendsgiving embodies the biblical principle of fellowship. Whether we attend or host a Friendsgiving, we can be reflections of the friendship that Christ extends to us (John 15:15). The early church, as described in Acts 2:42-47, gathered regularly to break bread, pray, and share their lives. In much the same way, Friendsgiving allows believers to come together, strengthening bonds of friendship and faith outside the context of formal worship.
Friendsgiving also provides an opportunity to practice Christian hospitality, especially to those who might be alone or discouraged this time of year. In Romans 12:13-18, we are instructed to “contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” By opening our homes and hearts to friends, we mirror the love and fellowship Christ has extended to us and create spaces where His love can be experienced tangibly. Celebrating a friendsgiving, whether on Thanksgiving day itself or around that time, is a wonderful opportunity to invite people into fellowship who are feeling lonely or for whom Thanksgiving is a difficult season. Widows and widowers, single church members, international students at our local university, and neighbors can be welcomed into fellowship with the hope of pointing them towards Christ.
In addition to encouraging believers, this gathering can serve as a powerful witness to non-believing friends. As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Often, friends who may be totally unwilling to join us at church may be willing to come over for a Friendsgiving! A Friendsgiving celebration, infused with genuine gratitude and love, can be a compelling testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel in our lives.
Sometimes, earthly fellowship can be hard and awkward. Instead of letting it turn us away from fellowship with others, let us remind us of the ultimate feast to come – the wedding supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). As we enjoy earthly fellowship and abundance, however imperfect it may be, we can look forward with hope to the day when we will gather at the marriage supper of the lamb, when all awkwardness and difficulty will be resolved and we will be in perfect communion with Him and with one another.
Friendsgiving, viewed through a Christian lens, is more than just a trendy social gathering. It is an opportunity to express gratitude, practice biblical hospitality, strengthen our faith community, and point others to the source of all blessings – our sovereign and gracious God.
Chew On This:
Who are three people you can invite over to Friendsgiving this year?
