Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Thanksgiving is the only official holiday which we celebrate which is strictly of Christian origin. It has been from its beginning a day of turning to God and giving thanks for his goodness.

Gratitude is a central Christian virtue, indispensable for those who wish to be spiritually and emotionally healthy. We cultivate gratitude on a daily basis by a consciousness of God’s grace extended to us without limit. The reality of God’s forgiveness and bountiful provision for our eternal future is reason enough to give thanks “in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The holiday itself prompts us to seek and follow the will of God. Giving thanks is “God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). The family and friends will enjoy a special sense of God’s presence in their group and in their lives as they give thanks to God for his wonderful blessings.

I suggest that you treat Thanksgiving as a celebration of the goodness and bounty of God--as a Harvest Celebration, so to speak. This is practice of long-standing among the people of God. You can do this in your gathering of friends and family in several ways:

First, make the reading of Scripture a part of the family gathering. I suggest reading one or more of these passages: Psalm 100; I Chron. 16:7 12, 23 36; Psalm 105:1 7; Psalm 118:19 29; Psalm 136:1 9; I Thess. 5:12 24; and Phil. 4:4 13.

Second, rehearse the wonderful works of God within your own family. Give testimonies of God's goodness around the table.

Third, sing around the table a song of thanksgiving such as the Doxology, Count Your Blessings, We Gather Together, Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart, or Thank you, Lord, for Saving My Soul. If your group will not sing, try quoting the Doxology or another familiar hymn.

Fourth, make much of the bounty upon the table, acknowledging it as a gift from God. Millions of people in our world have never seen such a feast as you will enjoy this Thanksgiving season.

Fifth, consider making a special offering to the Lord your God in connection with Thanksgiving as a concrete expression of your praise and gratitude.

Finally, the spirit of this holiday requires prayer. When your family and friends gather for a feast, someone in the group should offer a prayer of thanksgiving. While this may be a little unusual for your group, it will likely be well-received by all present on this day of gratitude.

This celebration of God’s goodness will lift our spirits, turn our thoughts heavenward, and fight back the powers of darkness that always seek to creep into our families and our own hearts. We do well by everyone around when we give thanks.