Thanks for the Turkey?🦃

It seems that almost everything we do as Christians gets watered down over time. Christmas is less and less about Jesus and more and more about Santa and gifts. On Easter day, we find our children out on the church lawn hunting for painted chicken eggs. Lent has become a time to start on a diet, while skipping the part about introspection and added prayer...

And Thanksgiving?

Oh my - the Turkey, Pumpkin Pie, and Football is what it's all about!

The Origins of our Thanksgiving Celebration 🙏🏼

Most people do not know the origins of our Thanksgiving Celebration.

Our nation was still locked in a bloody Civil War when Abraham Lincoln sent out his proclamation for all people in America, North and South, to pause and give thanks to God our Father for the blessings He had continued to rain down upon America even in the midst of the bloody conflict:

...No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things (the blessings on America). They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens... Abraham Lincoln, 1863

(See the whole transcript of Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation: Here)

The Challenge✝️

This year at Thanksgiving, let's reclaim some of Thanksgiving for Whom it was designed.

Instead of that awkward silence following the question, "Who wants to pray for our food...", volunteer ahead of time and be ready to give some praise for "...the gracious gifts of the Most High God."

Maybe even go a little further and tell the story of the origins of this holiday that is only celebrated by 13 countries around the world.

Take your time - the Turkey will wait 😊

Our Prayers for You

May God be with you and your families during this coming week, and may Thanksgiving be an opportunity to start a new tradition in our homes - prayer every day before our meals with true thanks for the multitudes of mercies God renews every morning.