Why Thanksgiving Is Sacred

Thanksgiving is not only a secular holiday, but a sacred holiday as well.

Sometimes it’s easier to think of all the bad things—bombings, murders, illness, misfortune—in the world than the good things. But we must realize that there are good things, even in difficult times, for which we can give thanks.

For example, Anne Frank, the young girl whose diary put a face on the Holocaust, demonstrated her ability to give thanks for the simplest of things:

“I do not think of all the misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun, go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself within and without you and be happy.”

Anne Frank was able to realize that, despite her own desperate situation and the fact that she could not venture out of the attic apartment, there were still things for which she could be thankful.

Now think back to the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims endured death, disease and numerous hardships in their quest for freedom. The Pilgrims, being unfamiliar with the New World, knew little of how to grow the crops for food that they so desperately needed.

The Native Americans showed them how to grow and harvest the necessary crops. The Pilgrims, given what they had been through, could have taken that knowledge and run with it, without giving a second thought to the graciousness of the Native Americans.

Instead, the Pilgrims invited them to share in their bounty as a way of expressing their thanks.

And so as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us reflect on our reasons to be thankful and resolve ourselves to give thanks—both in word and in action—even after our Thanksgiving celebration is over.

On Thanksgiving Day we will be thankful for being surrounded by family and friends,sharing a wonderful meal.

Let us also remember all those who may not have family with whom to celebrate, or will have nothing close to the meal we will enjoy on this holiday. Let us ask God to bless all of His family - that is all of His creations.

To honor our unseen family let us maintain and live in an attitude of gratitude to God. Therefore, let us now bless the Lord, who has once again bestowed on us the fruits of the earth. Abel offered his firstfruits to God; let us also learn to share our blessings for the good of those in need, so that we may be true children of the Father, who bestows his gifts for the benefit of all the peoples of the earth.”

So as we gather around the table for Thanksgiving dinner, may we be inspired to remember that truly giving thanks is more than something we say. It’s something we do.

This is what makes Thanksgiving a truly SACRED holiday.

May God bless all those who come and read this blog post and ask for God's blessings on all those in need.