Some of my family were together this year. Eleven.  There was much to eat. Lots of food to prepare. In our family, everyone contributes to the meal. We eat the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy. Cranberry sauce,  side dishes, freshly baked rolls (with Mom Quiring’s recipe), and of course, pumpkin pie for dessert.  There were eleven of us this year–plus four pups who were confined to the hallway:

Zippy, Buttons, Rudy and center back, Walter.

All of the food was delicious. My favorite? The masked potatoes slathered with turkey gravy, the turkey with gravy and cranberry sauce. Oh yes, the side dishes were tasty. Waldorf salad. Rolls. Stuffing. Green bean casserole. And of course, the truly American dessert, pumpkin pie.

What’s your favorite part of the meal? Although I love the fizzy beverages, the luscious desserts with lots of whipped cream. And the side dishes. The baked goods. For me, the main event–turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy–is my favorite.

I have many good memories of this amazing day that was established in 1621. Do you realize this is the 400th anniversary? Historian David Barton described this first American tradition:

A pilgrim, Edward Winslow said, God be praised, we had a good increase of Indian corn; by the goodness of God, we are far from want.  On that first Thanksgiving–with the Indians and fifty-three Pilgrims–three days of feasting, athletic competition and play, and prayer and thanksgiving. 

As we approach Advent where we await the gift of the birth of Christ–God coming in human form–let’s remember to give thanks. We can use these three days to celebrate and give thanks–and then begin the celebration of Advent this Sunday.

I plan to focus on the main event: feasting on the goodness of God. There are many references to giving thanks in Scripture. I like this one:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

Yes his love does endure forever. In the lean times. The lonely times. The in-between times.

Sometimes giving thanks is difficult. You don’t feel like giving thanks.

This year, my brother in law had a stroke and was in the hospital over this holiday. We praise God the doctor promises full recovery. There are no visitors allowed right now, but we didn’t want to leave Tim out so after dinner, we piled into our cars and outside his room, we greeted him. Jim is holding a sign we displayed.

Some of you are busily putting up your Christmas decorations–mine are already up, I confess. You might be shopping at Black Friday events, or just relaxing with anticipation of the leftover meal. Whatever you do today, I suggest the following:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

You won’t be sorry and you will even feel better thanking God for what you have, rather than what or who you no longer have.

I know it sounds simplistic, but I’ve found it to be true. Give thanks. To the Lord. He is good and his love endures forever. Reflect on that today–and the days to come.