There is a song we’ve sung for some time titled, “Give Thanks.” It simply says; “Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks unto the Holy one; give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ His Son. . . .”
Tomorrow is a day of thanks that was first held in 1621 when governor Bradford declared a day of public Thanksgiving with gratitude – “not only to Squanto and the Wampanoags who had been so friendly, but to their God. In Him they had trusted and he had honored their obedience beyond their dreams.” (The Light and the Glory). Unbeknown to them on the day of thanksgiving Massasoit, who had been invited brought ninety Indians. As God would have it, they came with five dressed deer and more than a dozen fat turkeys. (They sure knew how to hunt). They also helped with food preparation and showed the women how to make a pudding out of cornmeal and maple syrup. They also learned an Indian delicacy: popcorn.
In their battle to survive the cold brutal New England winters where life was difficult, work was hard and many gave their lives to establish life in the New World, they had eyes that could see God’s goodness love and mercy and gave Him thanks. We too have a divinely appointed time to stop or at least slow down our rat race of life and reflect upon God’s goodness to us this past year.
As the opening song says, give thanks unto the Holy One because He’s given His Son. Yes, we begin by expressing gratitude to God for His love, personal involvement in life and dying in our place. This same God promises to provide for our every need, protection and a sure entrance into His eternal kingdom.
Remember this is not our home and we must not become so comfortable that we forget about heaven and a bodily resurrection.
~Give thanks with a grateful heart. ~
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today, 2:30 Confirmation class.
November 29, 9:00Sunday morning worship. Sermon: Longing For God
Sunday school for all. Nov. 29, 10:15
