Today is known as Thanksgiving - an annual American holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Friends and family gather for a large celebration feast (usually turkey and pumpkin pie!) and give thanks for the year that has passed. Thanksgiving is celebrated as a means of giving thanks for family, friends, food, health, peace and other blessings.
Historically, the origins of Thanksgiving date back to 1621 when the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth, Massachusetts, shared a harvest feast with the native Wampanoag people.
Thanksgiving is also celebrated in Canada in October, originating back to the colonial period.
The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and usually has large commercial sales and shopping for the Christmas season. Whilst we do not traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving here in the UK, there are many elements of the occasion we can relate to. Certainly, Black Friday (love it or loathe it) is very much evident in our society.
Thanksgiving or being thankful though should not be isolated to one day. As Christians, having a spirit of thankfulness in our lives is affirming and uplifting but not easy in a world there is poverty, despair, unrest and injustice.
Being thankful in the midst of difficult situations is what God is asking us to do:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18 NIV
We can be thankful that God provides us with opportunities where we can relate to those in need, weep with those who weep, speak up for justice, oppose what is wrong. God has given us and all the gift of life through Jesus so we (in the words of the song):
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”
This week, I have marvelled at the beauty of nature. Despite the impact of climate change, there is so much to enjoy and be thankful for ... autumn colours, beautiful rainbows, stunning sunsets. Daily, we can find something to give thanks for even when life is overwhelming. Most of all we can give thanks for the strength that God gives us to overcome, to stand firm and bear witness to his love and mercy in a very challenging world. We have good news to share!
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24
When we’re willing to come before God with thankfulness and humility, we realise that no matter what we face, God doesn’t just work to change our situations and help us through our problems. He does more. He changes our hearts to hearts of thankfulness and focused minds on Him, releases the grip our struggles have over us. We're strengthened by His peace, refuelled by His joy.
Dear God,
Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that you are able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes.
Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life.
Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy.
Amen
Cathryn Clarke
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