Thanksgiving Holiday 2019

As we approach Thanksgiving I am reminded it is my favorite holiday. The simplicity and lack of materialism is what draws me.  Today, I must say, it has become a forgotten holiday.

The Thanksgiving holiday comes directly before the Christmas rush, and sets in motion Christmas shopping and preparations.  Thanksgiving is focused on a single meal shared with family and friends. There’s no gift giving, no pre-Thanksgiving parties, no hoopla. To sum up, no huge profits to be gained on this holiday.

Also what is obvious, the Thanksgiving holiday does not coincide with the Political Correct  mentality of today. Because of those who have sought to change the history of our nation, Thanksgiving has been somewhat dismissed.  I might add, Halloween has really overshadowed the Thanksgiving holiday due to mega profits.

Most of us know the central theme of Thanksgiving.   First, however, let’s refresh our memories with a brief explanation.

The Pilgrims (Separatists) left Plymouth, England September 6,1620. They sailed to North America seeking civil and religious liberty.

They experienced extreme hardship their first winter. Nearly half of them died. Although faced with such obstacles the summer after they arrived, they reaped a bountiful harvest.

In response they celebrated with a 3-day feast to thank God. A lot of human suffering took place, yet they were grateful for their first harvest.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him; bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). As we approach this Thanksgiving holiday, let’s make it a point to find thanksgiving in our hearts.

Are you feeling grateful? Or are you finding it hard to be grateful this Thanksgiving holiday? How about just one thing to be grateful for like the Pilgrims? The beginning of the holiday season may characterize a painful time for many people, and Christians as well.

Understandably, approaching the holidays can bring up some past reminders we would prefer to forget. Perhaps reminders of loved ones who have gone before us. Or reminders of broken families, dysfunctional families, estranged relationships, difficult relationships, childhood hurts, and a whole plethora of other things. And yes even reminders of better times remembered.

We may also realize that holidays remind us of changes that have occurred. We may have moved into a different phase of our lives. Therefore, we may find ourselves celebrating in different ways with different people than previously.

The media has the uncanny ability to portray holidays as “Norman Rockwell,” or “Hallmark picture perfect.” They have an ulterior motive. Clearly, it’s the tremendous proceeds. But these portrayals are not the reality for many folks.

Unfortunately, the world out there is in pretty bad shape these days. Let’s not look to the world for solace this holiday season.  Most of us realize there is no utopia this side of eternity.

The question now becomes can we find Thanksgiving in our hearts?  When one considers all the promises of God, there is so much to be thankful for! As Christians we need to remind ourselves what we know to be true. There are so many promises in the Bible it is impossible to count them. Although, I might add, some have tried.

His thoughts toward us are too numerous to count. As the Psalmist so clearly states, “How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them” (Psalm 139:17)!

Let’s suppose God stripped everything away from us as illustrated in the story of Job. Would we still have our faith? When one considers all that we value, our faith is the one thing that cannot be taken from us.  Our faith is eternal.

Remember Job’s experiences pointed him to Christ  (“As for me I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth” – Job 19:25). In the aftermath, Job expressed gratitude for a living Redeemer, the resurrection from the dead, and His coming eternal kingdom.

Today, this applies to us as well. We need to focus on the same promises. What a blessed hope we have, as clearly expressed in the scriptures, “While we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

If you are in a place where you just can’t see beyond your circumstances, look at all that God has promised.  Then perhaps you will find Thanksgiving in your heart.

Give Thanks (Don Moen)

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ his Son

And now let the weak say “I am strong”
Let the poor say “I am rich”
Because of what
The Lord has done for us
Give thanks

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving” (Psalm 95:2a).