“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 “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
(this post is also in the November edition of JournEzine HERE )
8 comments:
True, I have been observing this trend for years. Thanksgiving is the most spiritual and scriptural holiday we have, and it is being downplayed more and more. I think it all goes back to Romans 1:21 where when they knew God they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. It goes on to say in vs 23 that they changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image....... That is what the Devil has done to all the holidays with a connection to Christianity. Christmas is all about Santa Clause, Easter is about the bunny, and now Thanksgiving is about the Turkey.
In vs 24 we see what comes after a people do this. Humanism
We are watching the collapse of the greatest nation on earth from within. America is being turned into hell because we have forgotten God. Sad, sad, sad.
The only hope is a real revival, a 2 Chron. 7:14 revival, not a singing, not a supper, not a social, not a sermon.......but a humbling, praying, seeking of Gods face, and a turning from our wicked ways.....revival.
God bless and thanks for your stand.
Rick
I agree, and while I already have a few ducks in row for Christmas, I eagerly await Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday of the year. I have so many reasons to be thankful everyday, but this year, I am especially mindful of all I've been given.
I'm going to make a list today and add to it throughout the season.
Thank you for being such a faithful follower of my blog and for writing such encouraging words. You might be interested to know that I called our local pregnancy center and now have a volunteer packet to peruse and fill out. Would love any "tips" you could add for the process.
peace~elaine
Thank you for coming by my blog and leaving a comment. I wanted to let you know that Bro. Joe Arthur (my pastor) is preaching in Amory, MS this week at Freedom Baptist Church. I don't know how close-by that is to you but thought you might like to know in case you get the chance to go hear him preach. Have a great day!!
Father,
May we be found thankful not only on Thanksgiving, but each and every day.
Love,
Yolanda
Hi Marilyn,
I found your blog through Leah @ The Point.
Our culture does promote the "self-made" man. It is now perfectly acceptable to take credit for every good thing in your life with no thought to God whatsoever. It has turned into a day to watch a parade and football.
We have so many wonderful things to be thankful for.
Cindy
That is so true, Marilyn! What we need around here is a little taste of doing without for people to wake up! And it is true what Bro. Rick said, and my husband and I have been praying for a real awakening caused by the hand of our Father - no matter what it takes -- The Lord deserves all our praise and devotion! Happy and Joyous Thanks given to Him!
Hi Aunt Marilyn.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holiday's actually. I remember momma getting up early, early in the morning, still with curlers in her hair, lol, and start cooking. My favorite times were spent with her in the kitchen, just watching her as she whizzed around making this, fixing that, adding that, etc.
Daddy & Stephen would be in the den watching football (which I still can't stomach to watch for more than a few minutes even to this day lol). Nana & Granddaddy would come over and we'd usually get a card game or board game going. Then we could use momma's china to set the table the good silverware. The table was set so beautifully and surrounded by family.
Just beautiful memories and everytime I think about Thanksgiving, I think about family :)
Love you;
Lisa
You've been tagged by Kay Martin at Thrive Christians.
Happy Thanksgiving
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