As we enter into Thanksgiving week, I have been reflecting how little “thanks” there seems to be in Thanksgiving. Looking at my own life I realize that in many ways it has become the gateway between fall and Christmas. I must confess that I hung our Christmas lights in October (won’t turn them on until Thanksgiving) and made an appointment to cut down our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. Kathy has already taken down her fall decorations in anticipation of decorating for Christmas on Friday. There is even a move to change the title of the holiday. Sometimes we remember to thank God when the turkey turns out perfect, or if your football team wins (Go, Pack, Go!!) But there is so much more when we take the time to think and listen.
I was listening to one of my favorite worship cassettes (yes, I know I’m dating myself) this weekend, and it made me think of the second-best Thanksgiving ever. It was Thanksgiving 1990. Our church in Einsiedlerhof, Germany had a tradition of renting a lodge in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. The church would provide turkeys, and the rest of the church would bring the rest of the fixings. We’d have times of worship and offer up prayers of gratitude throughout the Thanksgiving weekend. This particular Thanksgiving was special, as many of our members were deployed to the middle east in anticipation of the first Gulf War to liberate Kuwait. Kathy and I had our two preschool/toddler sons with us, and we knew that this would be our last Thanksgiving in Germany. We anticipated the start of the German Christmas celebrations on December 1st, but we mostly focused on gratitude. On Thanksgiving Day, it began to snow with the first snow of the season, and the village was transformed into a winter wonderland.
So, what could top that Thanksgiving? It is the one yet to come when we celebrate it in heaven with Jesus. We will be reunited with our loved ones, and Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Who Provides) will welcome us all to an amazing banquet. There will be no more war, no more pain, and no more sorrow. The scenery will be indescribably beautiful. That Thanksgiving will last forever!! Our host? None other than our Savior and His Dad.
The lyrics of the title song to the album (Give Thanks) are as follows:
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given
Jesus Christ His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given
Jesus Christ His Son
You don’t really need to look beyond this verse to have reason for praise and thanksgiving. He’s given us his Son.
I would encourage you as you enter Thanksgiving Day to spend time alone reflecting on the immeasurable blessings with which God has blessed each of us. Sometimes that takes quite a bit of time, but it is always my favorite time of prayer.
Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!!
Pastor Doug