Thanksgiving.. A Thing of the Past?

November. The time of year for sweaters, boots, scarves, crunchy leaves, breathtaking colors, Pumpkin Spice latte, soup, pies, dark evenings, fireplaces, and Thanksgiving. The holiday that is becoming almost extinct in America.

Thanksgiving. The one day where Americans, of all people, should find endless things to give thanks about. Yet, thanksgiving has turned into the one day where Americans find something to be thankful for, and then 4 hours later, maul people over that night to get the cheapest TV or hot new game or play station.

I love Thanksgiving. I have so many fond memories of going to our friends' house, cooking, eating, writing out thankfulness on the tablecloth, watching movies, and much love and laughter. Spending time with one of my best friends. Eating till I could pop. Then after 30 minutes, eating some more food.

 I love everything about it. My friends know I protest anything Christmas till after Thanksgiving. It's not because I don't like Christmas. On the contrary, I deck out my room in lights and ornaments and snowflakes, my Charlie Brown tree, and my room becomes a little shop filled with gifts I have bought for people. I adore decorating, I love how I can say "Merry Christmas" to people, and I absolutely cannot get enough of Michael Buble's CD. That CD is constantly playing, well that is, the day after Thanksgiving. I love the Starbucks Christmas cups, the parties, shopping for gifts, family time, the baking that fills the home with the most warm and happiest of feelings. I.Love.Christmas, but I love Thanksgiving so much more. I love it because it gives me time to reflect on how BLESSED I am. Truly truly blessed. I love Thanksgiving because it reminds me of what is important in the Christmas season. Thanksgiving is forgotten these days.

Thanksgiving is so vital. It's so important not only in America's history, but as a thoughtful reminder as we entered the season of giving but more often receiving. The American consumer at its best is seen in December. Sometimes, we find more gracious, happy people. Sometimes, we find irate, short-tempered people. It depends on the person and the time. I always remind myself that this isn't necessarily the most wonderful time of the year. This is the time with family, and for some, this is a sad reminder of the person they lost who was so dear to them.

 Christmas so often is bigger than Thanksgiving, but thanksgiving is something God encourages. We are to give thanks in sorrow, in happiness, in wealth, in poverty, in sickness, and health. We are to give thanks all the time.

"Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness." Psalm 97:12. 

"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gifts." 2 Corinthians 9:15

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

"Now therefore our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:13

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." Psalms 100:4

As we get caught up in buying and receiving gifts this holiday season, let's not forget how important it is to give thanks. Give thanks for the things you have, but also, give thanks for the Son that was sent, who we celebrate this Christmas season. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on what all you have, so that perhaps, when Christmas comes around, and we are stressed by all the functions, the to-do lists, the disappointment of not getting what we wanted on Christmas, we will not forget what this holiday season is really truly all about.

So until Thanksgiving has passed, I won't listen to Christmas music or decorate my room. I will still drink from the Starbucks cups, seeing as the holiday   Christmas cups are out. But for me, I want to remember Thanksgiving first.

Happy Thanksgiving.