What Happened to Thanksgiving?
When delivering a large, beautiful pumpkin to my girlfriend a couple of days after Halloween, her neighbor asked inquisitively, “What’s the pumpkin for? After all, Halloween was over. I responded, THANKSGIVING! “Oh yeah”, was his reply.
It breaks my heart that our culture seems to move from celebrating Halloween then straight on to Christmas. What happened to Thanksgiving?
Nearly four hundred years ago, a people desperate to freely worship God, left all they knew behind in order to seek a country where this freedom would be possible. For this prospect and privilege, these courageous people we call “Pilgrims”, suffered losses and all manner of discomfort.
Their first winter was devastating. At the beginning of the following fall, they had lost 46 of the original 102 who sailed on the Mayflower. Still, with determination, they worked with their hands in order to carve out a new life from a wild, nearly uncultivated land.
The first Thanksgiving celebrated the goodness of God for His provision of both freedom of worship and plentiful sustenance. The Pilgrim’s gave God the glory along with their heartfelt gratitude for these provisions. All of these years later, we continue to reap the benefits of the determination and single mindedness of the Pilgrim’s. How? We may freely worship the Lord our God.
Have you made worshiping the Lord your determination this Thanksgiving? Find a way to focus on the focus; giving God thanks. Might I suggest compiling a list of personal points of gratitude to be shared around your Thanksgiving table? Why not pray on your knees together, individually offering thanks? Try singing a favorite hymn or praise song after prayer.
After all, Thanksgiving is not merely turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie but a religious remembrance of the freedom to worship God, and a giving of thanks for His provision day by day.
Let’s overcome the temptation to skip from Halloween and move straight on to Christmas. Let’s pause to celebrate our worthy God on this worthy day called Thanksgiving.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!
Okay, I guess I'm guilty of this. I always think of Thanksgiving as 12 hours of cooking and 12 minutes of eating: which happens to be the exact time it takes for the halftime show of the Thanksgiving Day football game. This year we will try to do better. Thank you for the reminder, Venita! Point taken!!
ReplyDeleteThat is hysterically funny and so often true! To new and better traditions. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. I love Thanksgiving. To me it is a peaceful pause to celebrate with family before the hussle and bustle that comes with Christmas. Have a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteWell said my friend!
ReplyDeleteEven though I will be working, I will be asking each resident what they are grateful for and reminding them of the goodness of God.