by Karen Olson
Let us come into [God’s] presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to [God] with songs of praise! (Psalms 95:2)
I have heard laments from those who feel that Thanksgiving is the holiday that is consistently overlooked.
It is jammed in between Halloween and Christmas. Depending on your outlook, Halloween is a joyous, light-hearted holiday for children to ask for candy with no guilt or it is a dance with the devil.
The candy wrappers have barely been dumped in the trash before we begin to hear how many shopping days we have until Christmas. And we know that some stores begin the Christmas decorations and sales well before Halloween.
Poor Thanksgiving is barely observed because Black Friday sales steal its thunder.
[bctt tweet=”Poor Thanksgiving is barely observed because Black Friday sales steal its thunder.” username=”womenoftheelca”]
The secular gets so much more attention than the sacred. Why do we let the media and store flyers determine how we celebrate Thanksgiving? Must we march to the commercial drummer of spend, decorate and shop?
I don’t think so.
Thanksgiving should become the holiday God’s children claim as their own. Be thankful. Be grateful. Be grace-filled. It could be a wonderful time to thank God for all our blessings.
Why should we wait until the fourth Thursday in November for thanksgiving? We can do it every day, in our hearts, in our lives, in our actions.
Maybe you learned this prayer acronym as a child: ACTS—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. Begin there, as you give thanks to God today and every day in the year.
Karen Olson is a Tenth Triennial Gathering promoter from Harvey, N.D. Read our other blogs here.
reply
retweet
favorite