November 27, 2024 – Thanksgiving Eve Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Dear Friends in Christ,
The idea of giving thanks has been around for years. Who doesn’t know the story of the Pilgrims. President Washington had issued a proclamation in 1789 that had its origins in religious proclamations by bishops. President Lincoln had made a few Thanksgiving proclamations, but it wasn’t until 1863 that anything became official in the United States. That year the Union won Civil War battles in Gettysburg and Vicksburg. The harvest of 1863 was also a good one. So, it was made official that the country would celebrate on the last Thursday of the month of November. Dr. Cullom Davis, a nationally recognized Lincoln scholar said this, “Lincoln saw the day as an appropriate time to give national gratitude for God’s plan and goodness. It was yet another reason to be thankful.”
This won’t surprise us, but the proclamation makes repeated religious references such as “watchful providence of Almighty God,” “the gracious gifts of the Most High God.” We know that all of our gifts come from the Lord Almighty. All of our thanks and praise go to Him. This holiday we pray He might create within our hearts . . .
“AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE”
This comes through beautifully within our text, it really could not be any clearer. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
These powerful words from the Lord through the Apostle Paul were not only meant for the Christians of Thessalonica, but they were also meant for you and me. The basis for our rejoicing and thankfulness is Jesus Christ. An attitude of gratitude is showered upon us by the grace of God. We have come to know and trust in the forgiveness that has been earned for us through the cross and empty tomb. How can we not give thanks unto the Lord?
Except some find it a struggle. Are you one of them? Never quite happy with where you are in life. When you were young you wanted to be old. If you are now older, you want to be younger. Things just haven’t always gone your way, and God has to take some of the blame for that. There are those who struggle with this sad existence. It is hard to be around that negativity. It can take you down.
Prayerfully the Lord puts people in your life that lift you up with their gratitude. Or are you the gratitude lifter? Always appreciative of what you have. Giving God the thanks for your life and all the good that is a part of your daily existence. People notice. That is the kind of attitude they want to be around. The Lord does the lifting by using you and the words you use, the actions you do, the smiling disposition and the God Blessed way you show gratitude daily.
It should be easy, right? This attitude of gratitude. God gives it to us through His Son Jesus Christ. By being in God’s Word, we can grow in our thankfulness. By partaking of the Sacraments our gratitude will strengthen. God has placed the gift of salvation within our hearts. He has placed a song of praise within our mouths. As King David reminds us, “He has brought us out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay…and He has put a new song in our mouths, even a praise unto God.”
In 1941, Congress authorized a resolution that switched Thanksgiving from the last Thursday in November to the fourth Thursday of the month. No matter where it is, it is still a good day to thank the Lord our Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier. His Almighty hand is upon us. Let’s live it every day . . . an attitude of gratitude.
Amen.