Thankful

I'm sitting in a coffee shop where they've been playing Christmas music for two weeks now. All the stores have had decorations out since right after Halloween. Some of my neighbors have their Christmas decorations up and on display. And I'm working on Advent sermons...in fact, last week I had to play Christmas music to get me in the mood to work on Advent messages, because it was over 60 degrees outside and didn't feel much like Advent!

And yet...tomorrow is Thanksgiving. It's not a "church holiday," meaning it's not on the liturgical calendar and doesn't commemorate a particular event in salvation history (though the first Pilgrims might disagree...they celebrated that first Thanksgiving because they believed God had brought them through a very difficult winter). And yet it might be the most Christian holiday left.

Christmas is overwhelmed with Santa and commercialism and gift giving and stressed out people trying to buy things for people who have everything.

Easter has been overrun by candy and bunnies and even a movie last year (which was rather cute) about the son of the Easter bunny.

Even Halloween, or "All Hallow's Eve," a night to prepare for All Saints' Day, has been taken over by the decoration and the chocolate industries.

Thanksgiving, though, even with all the turkey and football trimmings of the day, remains a day when people are called to "count their blessings" and give thanks. (Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who don't know Who they are thanking...they "thank goodness," whomever that is!) Thanksgiving still calls us to live out the lifestyle of the Scriptures—to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for us (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I've noticed that, during November, some people have been using Facebook to list things they are thankful for. I think that's a great use of social media which, for the other 11 months of the year, often becomes a public forum for griping (I know, because I use it that way, too). What if, rather than just for one month, we used such opportunities the whole year to give thanks?

We have reasons to be thankful, no matter what our circumstances. I'm thankful that I'm able to be up and around, breathe and live, see and hear...receive and give love...enjoy the taste of good food...even for the rain which, despite getting me wet, gives life to the world.

What if what we began this month became a lifestyle? What if we developed a year-long attitude of gratitude? What if Thanksgiving weren't just a day, but a way of life? What if we lived out that part of God's will for us?

Hmmm....a life like that....just might change the world...

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Comments

  1. You may have just coined a new phrase: "Football Trimmings". I like it and plan on making it a regular part of my conversations with others.

    Thanks for the very nice insight. A lifestyle of Thanksgiving. A gratitude that will take us through the year.

    Thank you.

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