Well, in my family all of the Thanksgiving work is done. We have been to the in-laws house and had a delicious meal. We have been to my parents house and had a delicious meal. Two turkeys in one week - I think I am still slowly getting over all the tryptophan! Now what? I think that for many of us we move on so very quickly. This weekend is an interesting one. Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday - each day added to what was already a move past the idea of thanksgiving and into spending money. Sure we could say that we are spending for the benefit of others - to get them gifts, etc. but I wonder if we don't just move past Thanksgiving all too quickly.
Though it would really throw things into a loop - I sometimes think to myself that we should actually celebrate Christmas first and then do Thanksgiving. After all, the biggest thing that I have to be thankful for is that my Creator sent His Son, Jesus, to take care of a sin problem that was mine and yours and He lived and died for me to have life. The incarnation of Christ is the biggest point of gratitude that we all should have. And if you are not thankful for it, then you have not truly considered the deep nature of your own sin problem and the great work of Christ to pay the penalty for your sin.
I know that in reality our American Thanksgiving holiday is celebrating something different, and there is a good reason that it comes in November. And I know that there is reason that we celebrate Christmas in December. But maybe it would help me, and help all of us, if we did not just quit on Thanksgiving and move on. Let us hold onto the heart of Thanksgiving a bit long - not the turkey, but the Thanks.
