Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to visit family. When our kids were small we would spend Thanksgiving with my parents in St. Louis and Christmas with her parents in Oklahoma. It was a practical thing since St. Louis, in those days, was at least a twelve hour drive from where I was pastoring in Oklahoma. Her parents lived closer and since the weather was more likely to be bad around Christmas we opted to stay closer to home for that holiday. This plan called for a long trip with four small children in a small space every Thanksgiving.

We planned ahead. We would pack the car with our luggage, pillows, and toys for the kids. Then, on Wednesday morning we got up early, carried the sleepy children to the car, and headed down the road. They woke up briefly, and excited, then went back to sleep, for a while. It was an adventure.

When we got to the house we settled in and looked for ways to be helpful preparing the feast for the next day. Since we were the only ones staying at the house Joyce was always asked to put the turkey in the oven. So we had to set an alarm the morning after that long trip to take care of our annual duty. This became a running joke and today when one of our daughters stays with us the night before thanksgiving we remind her that it is her job to get up early and put the turkey in the oven. Of course, with grandkids around no one sleeps in anyway.

The original thanksgiving was a celebration of survival. The Pilgrims had a festival that lasted several days and included feasting and games. Today we celebrate God’s blessings on a different scale. Now we celebrate survival the day after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day is a day of blessings. We are blessed with family, food, a warm home, and lots of laughter. Most of all we remember that all of these blessings come from God who loves us and sent us his Son.

Thanksgiving Day to Christmas should be a season of Thanksgiving. Jesus is the reason for which we have so much to be thankful.
R. Cowin