The civil year · Thanksgiving · The fourth Thursday of November
The best thing on the table is the One who set it.
Every good gift comes from above (James 1:17). Thanksgiving is a chance to look up from the gifts and see the Giver.
The turkey is in, the relatives are on their way, and someone will ask everyone to name one thing they’re thankful for. You’ll say family, or health, or the new job, and you’ll mean it. Then the football starts. If your gratitude sometimes feels like a list recited on schedule, you’re not alone, and there’s more on offer here.
Four tired ways through Thanksgiving
Which one sounds like you this year?
Fellow travelers
We aren’t the first to walk this way.
- Ten lepers were healed and only one came back, praising God and falling at Jesus’ feet. Jesus asked where the other nine were (Luke 17:11–19).
- David looked at a table spread in the presence of his enemies and said “my cup overflows,” because the host was the Shepherd himself (Ps 23:5).
- The younger son came home hungry for bread. What he got first was his father running to embrace and kiss him (Luke 15:20).
Nine lepers went off with the gift, and one came back for the Giver (Luke 17:15–16).
Where the Shepherd meets us
The destination of every season is the same: God himself.
- Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father, so every gift on the table is a thread that leads back to him (James 1:17).
- Fullness of joy lives in a Person. “In your presence there is fullness of joy” (Ps 16:11).
- At his own last meal, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and then gave himself (Luke 22:19).
After everyone shares what they’re thankful for, add one more line, in your heart or out loud: “And thank you for being here with us.” Then sit down. Even the host. Especially the host. Gratitude has more.
Keep walking
- Us with God and Gratitude
- Your Dreams
- From God: Sheep that follow the grass
- The Calendarthe whole year at a glance