Thanksgiving: The Forgotten Holiday

On Halloween, which was on a Sunday this year,  a friend and I were making an impromptu run to Wal-Mart between church services.  As we were walking in, my friend saw the huge Christmas tree Wal- Mart had put up in front of the main aisle.  My friend said, "No, tell me it ain't so, Halloween isn't even over yet and they have started putting out Christmas decorations!".  I kinda laughed to myself at his statement, but then had this thought. Thanksgiving: The Forgotten Holiday. 

It seems as though every year stores begin to put out Christmas items earlier and earlier.  It even seemed to me that this year was the first time they were put out even before Halloween had come and gone.  We are used to the idea of the world trying to take Christ out of Christmas and certain media outlets and stores saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", but we have never noticed that there is not much said about Thanksgiving.  Don't get me wrong, I know there are few Thanksgiving specials and things of that nature, but usually they are not seen until maybe a week before the holiday.  I noticed that even though there are a lot of fall decorations, I have not seen much specifically Thanksgiving themed and again the Christmas decorations that are always available before. 

Today being Thanksgiving, I know that most people are readying themselves to see family and friends and eat all the wonderful food that will be prepared.  I know that my title may even seem a bit odd for an article on this very day, but if you know me, you know there is more to be seen.  So, with that said, here it is. Why Thanksgiving?

Beyond what we traditionally know as Thanksgiving holiday and this nations history and the why and how Thanksgiving became a holiday, Why be thankful and to whom?  Even though it is seldom said, we usually go with the knowledge that we are giving thanks to God for the blessings he has given us.  We are thankful for our families, for our jobs, our homes, our friends, etc., but we often forget things that we are so used to that we do not think about them. 

Take a moment and go get a mirror or go stand in front of one.  Now, look at yourself.  Don't do a quick look, take a few moments and pay attention to your features. Your hair, your eyes, your skin, your shape ( don't get depressed, I could lose a few to ).  Take a few moments and just notice yourself.  Now consider this, God created what you are looking at.  Down to the most minuscule detail of you, God created you.  When God created you,  He broke the mold. Oh, there are people in the world who will look like you and favor your characteristics, but even identical twins are not 100% to most minute detail identical.  When God created you He had a purpose for you.  I don't know what your purpose may be but I know God wouldn't have created you without one.

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

God had our purpose and plans settled before we were even born.  The knowledge of that should be enough to settle in us any doubts and fears that we have about who we are and where we should be going.  You may not know specifically what, but you do know there is. This is one thing we can be thankful for.  That we were created special and have a special purpose. 

Giving thanks to God for everything is vital.  It makes us feel good when do something that helps someone else and they show and express their gratitude.  We get an emotion boost and we feel love and approval.  God is not devoid of emotion or need.  It was God who gave us our emotions.

Hebrews 13:15,16 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

To give or offer thanks to God pleases Him.  It is a sacrifice for us because our carnal natures do not want to do it.  Giving thanks to God shows Him our love and acceptance of Him as our God and Jesus as our Lord. 

In our holiday festivities, I encourage you to pull away by yourself for a few moments and give God your true expression of thanks.  Thank Him for His many blessings to you and for the blessing of you and let us not make Thanksgiving the forgotten holiday.

In Christ,
Kevin