I ask myself, “What does Thanksgiving Day mean to me and others?” The word “thanksgiving” means ‘expressing gratitude especially to God.’ The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives this definition, “a public acknowledgement or celebration of divine goodness.”
Traditionally, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day as gathering with family and friends to give thanks for our many blessings during the year and beyond. We have the freedom to choose how we want to celebrate this important occasion. Perhaps many either don’t know or have forgotten why the day was established.
Personally, I am especially thankful to God for each morning I can rise from my slumber with a measure of health, strength, energy, and courage to move around and face the uncertainties of the new day. I fully recognize the significance of Thanksgiving Day, which I also observe and gladly celebrate, too. Thank God there is such a day in our nation.
However, the real meaning of Thanksgiving Day seems to be obscured by all the commercial activities and sales pitches we are bombarded with 24/7. It’s much more than the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, cakes, pies, etc, etc.
The Bible, God’s Word, makes many references to thanksgiving. For example, we are exhorted and invited to, “Enter into [God’s] gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His Name” (Psalm 100:4). Also, “Let us come before [God’s] presence with thanksgiving. Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms” (Psalm 95:2). The Bible also mentions the importance of giving thanks. It says: “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).
King David said,”The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” And then he confidently concludes, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
The following hymn “Let Us Be Thankful To God” by Martin Rinkart (1586-1649) is hereby quoted:
With hearts and hands and voices;
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom the world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms
Has blest us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
2. Oh, may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all harm
In this world and the next.