11/22/2023 Thanksgiving Eve

Thanksgiving

Historically, Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a secular festival.  Originally suggested by George Washington, it was sporadically celebrated until Abraham Lincoln set aside the fourth Thursday in November to be dedicated to giving thanks.

Christians make a point of being thankful all year long.  Thanksgiving often zeroes in on the harvest, food and abundance elements of being thankful.  Christians realize that every good gift comes from our heavenly Father.  The plentiful harvests, the houses and family we enjoy are not only ours one day a year.  God graciously gives them to us year round.

King David reflects that in our first reading.  The prophet Nathan had just reported to David the LORD’s will to establish David’s house forever — the promise of the Savior.  Further, David would make plans to build the LORD’s first permanent home, a temple in Jerusalem.  David expressed both his unworthiness and gratitude to God for his promises.  He asks rhetorically, “Is this your usual way of dealing with man?”  Yes, it is.

At the end of his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages Christians to put their faith into practice in every way.   Rejoice, be gentle, pray with thanksgiving, devote your thoughts and mind to noble and pure things.

Paul’s thoughts were certainly practiced by a certain “sinful woman” in Luke’s lesson.  She had lived a despicable life, but was so grateful to have a Savior in Jesus that she anointed him with perfume, and washed his feet with her tears.  Should “sinful men and women” like you and me not be even more generous and grateful?

God bless your worship.

Pastor John Hartmann will preach on Philippians 4:4–9

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