With Thanksgiving
“Let us come to him with thanksgiving, Psalm 95:2.” Does this scripture, make you think about the holiday of Thanksgiving? Perhaps. We do celebrate a holiday called “Thanksgiving.” But, the word “thanksgiving” is also an action. Some people might think or ask, what’s the difference since both words involve giving thanks? The difference is that although the Thanksgiving holiday took its name from the word “thanksgiving,” the holiday typically focuses on one day of giving thanks. So, let’s begin there.
Thanksgiving has been celebrated for centuries in our country for the harvest blessings. It became an official holiday in the United States in November 1863 during the Civil War under President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln declared that the holiday be celebrated on the last Thursday in November.
I have always loved the Thanksgiving holiday and everything about it. I love the concept of Thanksgiving and the beauty of the season. I look forward to the planning and preparation for the meal. I love and enjoy eating the meal and especially time with family. In my family, perhaps like in many others, it has become a tradition, that each individual shares what they are thankful for before diving into their plate. This gives everyone an opportunity to thank God personally for his or her blessings.
In many homes today, Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of celebration with family and friends. It is typically accompanied by a traditional feast of decadent foods like turkey, cornbread dressing, cranberries, potatoes and gravy with pumpkin or pecan pie on the side. The day is usually capped off by the family watching a fun game of football (there’s nothing wrong with watching football). Consequently, there’s often so much distraction with preparation, planning, cooking, and family travel, the act of truly giving thanks can be more of an after-thought rather than a day of gratitude.
As noted earlier, “Let us come to him with thanksgiving” is the action of giving thanks. But giving thanks is not delegated to one day. We are thankful for and love the gathering of family and friends celebrating together. But it is not solely about an enormous family feast celebrated once a year. It is not about a day for watching a fun football game. Nor is it about commercialism and the prelude to the shopping season with Black Friday sales. For Christians, “Let us come to him with thanksgiving,” reminds us to come and thank God daily for all things. So, as we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s remember that the action of thanksgiving is not only one day of giving thanks, but rather 365 days!
Food for Today:
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Picture Courtesy
Thanksgiving Dinner 2022 courtesy of Fox29, Getty Images
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