Wednesday, November 10, 2010

What Happened to Thanksgiving?

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100: 4-5(KJV)

A few nights ago I was watching the local news when the news anchor made a statement that made me both mad and sad. He remarked that although many people still had jack-o-lantern pumpkins sitting on their front porches, the department stores already had their decorations out for “our next holiday”. Well, I knew very well that he was talking about Christmas but that is not our next holiday. What happened to Thanksgiving?…the oldest, purest, truly American holiday we celebrate? And, please!…..don’t call it “Turkey Day” either! It’s true what the news anchor said….the stores are all getting ready for the Christmas rush. Why is that? Why do people decorate for Halloween and Christmas but almost totally ignore Thanksgiving?

I think that the main reason may be that so many people have become self-sufficient to the extent that they believe they have made themselves what they are and don’t owe any thanks to anyone. More and more people are forgetting that everything they have ultimately has been given to them by a loving God. (“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1: 17)

We have such a high standard of living in our country that many people have never had to do without the basic necessities and therefore are not grateful for the things they have. Even many of the ones who do live in poverty believe that someone “owes” them a better life and may not be grateful for the things they do have. (“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy” II Timothy 3: 2 )

God has been gradually pushed farther and farther in the background in the past twenty-five years or so and now this great day that was set aside to give thanks to God for all He has done for us is reduced to nothing more than parades, football games and “Turkey Day”. (“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100: 3)

As Christians, let us truly give thanks as we celebrate Thanksgiving this year and remember that all our blessings are because of the wonderful mercies and love of our Lord. We don’t want our children and grandchildren to ask us some day…”Can you tell me the story of how you used to have a Thanksgiving Day?”

Let’s keep the day alive!“For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100: 5

May each of you have a blessed time of giving thanks this year is my prayer!

Marilyn

(I've posted this in years past so you may have read it already....but it is SO much the feeling of my heart this Thanksgiving season!)

7 comments:

Jana said...

AMEN! I am in total agreement! A few "fall" colored decorations were out in the stores but within a week it was all Christmas! Thanksgiving has always been a very important holiday in my family and will continue to be.
Hope you have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING, friend! :)

Alene said...

Amen! Amen! I'm tired of rushing three holidays ahead and not getting to enjoy any of them. I love Thanksgiving time too. Much to be thankful for here. Blessings friend.

Karin said...

Up here in Canada we've had our Thanksgiving the second week-end in October. It usually is celebrated when our harvests are all in and before the snow flies! Blessings on your Thanksgiving Day coming up and I totally agree with your post!

Liesa said...

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU...AND AMEN!

MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY!

EVERY TIME WE PASS SOMEONE'S HOUSE WHO HAS CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS UP, NOELLE SAYS, "THEY'VE SKIPPED THANKSGIVING!" NO CHRISTMAS FOR US UNTIL AFTER THANKSGIVING.
GOD IS SO VERY GOOD AND WORTHY!

HAVE A BLESSED VETERANS DAY!

LOVE,
LIESA

Anonymous said...

We are a consumer culture. The reason the stores ignore Thanksgiving is because it doesn't make them any money. You don't buy anything when you are "Thankful" for what you have.

LisaShaw said...

Amen, Amen and Amen Marilyn!

I just said that to my husband the other day when I saw the grocery parking lot with Christmas decorations and lights. I don't mind that at all but what about Thanksgiving? It seems as if people just skip over it at times.

Blessings!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

A very good word, Marilyn. I was briefly out today in the lifeway store, and even there, very little Thanksgiving focus; tons of Christmas focus.

peace~elaine