Of the major
holidays we
celebrate at the end
of the year,
Thanksgiving Day is
given the least
attention. Some of
the other holidays
during this period
have developed into
pure and simple
self-gratification
events; even
Thanksgiving Day has
done so to a point.
Have we actually
become so
self-centered?
From Halloween
through New Year’s
Day, we have become
a people who dote on
our own pleasures.
We honor hobgoblins,
witches, wizards,
turkeys, and Santa,
but are weak in
giving thanks and
remembering the Son
of God. It’s all
about give me candy,
stuff me with turkey
and dressing, give
me sports and load
me down with
presents.
The true celebration
of Thanksgiving Day
has been placed so
far on the back
burner it has almost
been swallowed up
and forgotten.
Notice how early in
the year the
decorations are seen
in the stores for
Halloween and
Christmas.
We most certainly
are a nation of
greedy,
self-centered and
commercialized
people. Retailers
and wholesalers just
cannot get enough
money, and shoppers
do not use good
sense. We are
spoiled to the core,
and demonstrate
little appreciation
for the things that
really matter.
Yes, Thanksgiving
Day is the day
almost forgotten
among the five
special days at the
latter part of the
year. Even with what
little attention
remains for this
special day, are we
truly thankful for
the many blessings
God has provided us?
I’m sure some people
are, but as a whole,
we are not. Even as
this holiday flies
by with so little
fanfare, most are
more concerned with
the meal, parades
and ballgames.
I often wonder how
many
Christian
households will even
ask God’s blessings
upon the food (It’s
called “grace” or
“the blessing” for
those unfamiliar
with those terms by
the way.) that the
ladies have spent
hours in preparing.
These dear women
start the day before
and continue early
Thanksgiving Day
morning to provide a
special meal for
their families,
which will be
devoured within
minutes. Afterwards,
men with protruding
bellies and loosened
belts will waddle
over to their easy
chairs in
preparation for the
college bowl games,
while the ladies,
who must be worn
out, clean up. (I
realize this doesn’t
fit every household.
It is just a general
picture, so don’t
get excited.)
Most of us have so
much to be thankful
for. But many
people, even in this
great country,
cannot identify with
the scenario in the
previous paragraph.
Should we feel
guilty if we enjoy
the food, parades,
and/or ballgames?
Now of course not,
but they should not
be the main
attraction. I’m sure
that many grateful
people, Christians
and non-Christians,
will enjoy this
special day next
week with these
pleasures, but still
ponder on the
numerous blessings
they have.
Christians
especially, should
definitely thank our
Lord for all that He
has provided.
Do enjoy the frills
of Thanksgiving Day,
but be thankful, and
don’t be timid in
expressing, that the
God of the Bible
loves us and has
made the way
possible, through
His Son, to spend
eternity with Him.
One’s family means
so much. They are
the closet to you on
this earth, and
sometimes they get
the least positive
attention.
Appreciate them and
show it.
At least for one day
block out the
negatives of life
and look for the
blessings even if
you have to look
hard. Even if you do
not know God, He has
blessed us all with
air to breathe,
water to drink, a
heart that beats,
and a mind that can
know Him.
Yes, there are many
things we can be
thankful for, if we
just stop long
enough and think
about it. So let us
not skip over this
day, but give it its
due, and not allow
it to just be
forgotten among all
the pandemonium at
this time of year.
Grant Phillips
grantphillips@windstream.net
All my articles may
be located at
“Pre-Rapture
Commentary”
http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
and also “Rapture
Ready”
http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html.
