The Little Things: Thanksgiving

SCRIPTURE:  Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20 ESV

QUOTE: “Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you were partakers of our plenty.”  –Edward Winslow, December 11^th, 1621

THOUGHT: Here in America, it’s Thanksgiving Day – a day unique to our culture, growing out of gratitude. In 1789, President Washington designated the first national day of Thanksgiving and in 1863, President Lincoln formalized it as an annual holiday, but it’s roots were already 242 years old. In 1620, a small group of pilgrims who had come to the New World seeking religious freedom found themselves in the midst of bitter winter, much sickness, and many losses. Still, they came together with neighboring Indians the following year, 1621, for a feast to celebrate God’s goodness. That it lasted three days is something to think about!

Sadly, the culture has a distaste for the history of the holiday and, seemingly, an increasing appetite for divisiveness. Many Americans will celebrate this day with football as the centerpiece, and black Friday shopping lists will occupy mind space, tamping down thoughts of gratitude to how much tryptophan and pumpkin pie make for a good nap before the game or shopping. For the first time in my memory, many shops and stores are staying open.

As one for whom Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday toward the end of my favorite season, I have a little steel in my backbone about it all. I don’t judge you if you choose to watch football or plan your shopping for black Friday, it’s just that I won’t be there. You might find me still sitting at the table or in the living room with like-minded souls, sipping apple cider and talking about great and small matters, grateful for the rare treat of long conversation with the ones I love.

May you and your loved ones be blessed today – and whatever you’re choosing to do, don’t forget the thanksgiving. With Winslow, may we say, “yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want.”

SONG: Let All Things Now Living, Michael Card https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oogqO4osaZM

PRAYER: Oh God, how we thank you for your goodness to us! Hear us as we make melody to you with our hearts, giving you thanks always and for everything.