I’m thankful for Thanksgiving itself, but while making a list of things for which I’m thankful, I realized that the Thanksgiving holiday makes me so thankful for Christmas. Not for the decorations and presents–fun though they may be–I’m thankful that Jesus chose to come to this earth and live with us and die for us, so that we will have a “forever” to be thankful. I am thankful that–because of Christmas–not only will my eternity be different, but my present is richer and filled with love, peace, and hope.
I pray that no matter how long or short your “thankful list” is this year, that one of the things you are thankful for is that Jesus came to our planet so long ago and that His Bethlehem journey makes all the difference in how we celebrate Thanksgiving now. I’m reminded of a chorus: “Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. / Thank you, Lord, for making me whole. / Thank you, Lord, for giving to me / Thy great salvation, so rich and free.” (Words & Music by Seth and Bessie Sykes)
May each of you feast from the horn of plenty, and may your “thankful list” start with Christmas and never end.
Photo credit: sxc.hu, erikdungan
