Dave Weston - Director of Senior Adult Ministries

During the fall and winter months, we observe Thanksgiving and Christmas, my favorite celebrations of the entire year.

Although it was not regarded as an official Thanksgiving observance, the Pilgrims set aside a day of thanksgiving immediately after their first harvest—the year was 1621.  There followed other “thanksgiving” days designated, but it was President Abraham Lincoln who proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be observed on the final Thursday of November.  In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the day to the next-to-the-last Thursday in November.

For as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving has been a time for family gatherings, turkey dinners with all the trimmings, and an occasion to reflect on our blessings.  In Colossians 2:7, we find the words, “overflowing with thankfulness.”  That should describe our attitude every day, not just one Thursday set aside in November.

The story of Christmas predates Thanksgiving by several centuries.  In Luke’s gospel we read:
The angel said to them [shepherds living out in the fields nearby], “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” . . . Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (2:10-11, 13-14).

At Thanksgiving time we offer our gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy.  At Christmas time we offer our thanks (worship, praise, adoration) for the gift of God’s Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

May the family gatherings, wonderful meals, exchange of gifts, and all the other “trimmings” of these special holiday observances never overshadow their real meaning and significance.