I've been thinking a lot about Thanksgiving this week.
I've been thinking about families and friends who gather together from far and near. Some families gather together around the meal itself. Some connect on social media or through a text, phone call, or by Zoom. Some send out their holiday cards, just in time for Thanksgiving. Regardless, Thanksgiving is all about friends and family.
Just think of all the selfies and group photos that will be taken next week!
I've also been thinking about our shared traditions. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Watching football. Getting together with friends and family we don’t get to see very often. Special songs and celebrations in church. Spicy apple cider. Too much to eat. A long walk with a friend—or an energetic dog. A lazy hour with a good book. A nap. Leftovers. Thanksgiving is rich with tradition.
At our tables at home and our potlucks at church, we’ll be able to find all the traditional dishes, special family recipes, menu mainstays, new versions of old favorites, recipes for new things that may or may not be brought back another year, and ethnic dishes we've just discovered. Thanksgiving is delicious.
Thanksgiving is also about worship and prayer together! Across our great union, in many different languages and in many different ways, our church family will come together this Thanksgiving—to celebrate God’s abundant gifts to us and to express our gratitude with thankful hearts! Thanksgiving is all about God’s grace and care for us.
At the heart of Thanksgiving is just that: "Thanks-giving." A time of great gratitude. A time of joyous expression of our thankfulness. A day so significant that we’ve developed dozens of special traditions and rituals to celebrate it.
How will you celebrate this Thanksgiving this year?
Here’s my prayer for you: that God's blessings will be with you and with All God’s People, and that you’ll find ways to express your own joy and gratitude on this special day.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
