Thankful For Thanksgiving

My son came home with a paper listing all the things he and his classmates were thankful for this Thanksgiving season. The responses were excellent because all but one of them had something to do with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. A couple of responses were very specific concerning the way in which people find redemption through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For a group of kindergartener’s I was very impressed.

There was one that really caught my eye, of course that was my son’s. It said nothing about Jesus, and it was the briefest of all the comments. His response was simply, “I am thankful for Thanksgiving”. Of course being a preacher I thought, that sure is a vague answer, though it really didn’t surprise me. So I had to ask my son, “Why are you thankful for Thanksgiving?” He answered, “Because it’s a day to give back to God”. I was relieved that he didn’t tell me that it was because he liked sweet potatoes or something like that.

Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday. I am thankful for Thanksgiving for the very same reasons my son is. It is a great time to give God praise for all that He is and the many blessings he has bestowed upon us. This season serves as a great reminder to give thanks and praise to the creator of all things. It is always good to have an attitude of gratitude, especially when it is directed toward God.

Psalms 136:1-3
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Even if you find your circumstances deplorable this Thanksgiving season, there is someone you can turn to and there is something you can be thankful for. God sent forth his Son, Jesus Christ, as our sacrifice for sin so that we might experience eternal life. Today Jesus, the Son of God, is alive and well and He calls all to receive him as Savior and follow him as disciples. It is because of Christ’s victory over sin and the grave that those who place their faith in Him and believe on Him are more than conquerors and able to give thanks in everything no matter our circumstances. It’s a blessing to be thankful for Thanksgiving.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.