Thanksgiving 2008

My arms and shoulders are a little tired this week from trying to hold back the mighty assault of Christmas commercials and Christmas carols. Yes, that confession is bound to surprise some of you who know that one of the playlists on my iPod is called "Christmas," and it's not uncommon for those Christmas songs to show up in the recently played list. I love all things Christmas, always have.

Please understand, this is not going to be a diatribe against commercialism or an exhortation to hold the line on Christmas cards, Christmas carols, Christmas trees, and Christmas parties against the more trendy and supposedly politically correct "Holiday" this and that or "Winter" this and that. I'm not one of those people who is worried that we're not doing enough to protect God from consumerism. I trust that after eternity plus 2,000 years, God can take care of God's self. I trust that after 2,000 years, Christ is quite capable of keeping himself in Christmas. I'm not even criticizing the merchants who depend on exceptional sales in December to have a profitable year.

No, no, no. I'm not on a rampage. My concern is much simpler.

I'm not afraid about losing Christmas. I'm afraid about losing Thanksgiving.
Not once have I heard "Over the River and Through the Woods" playing in the background of a television commercial. Not once have I heard a radio station asking for people to create Thanksgiving baskets for hungry families. But I have heard dire warnings about what will happen to families that don't have presents under their Holiday Trees!

Look over this week's scripture reading. Doesn't it read like a love letter? An extravagant invitation to feast upon the gifts of God?

I invite each one of you to come worship with us this weekend and offer thanksgiving to our loving, generous God. Then the next week you'll find the sanctuary transformed by Advent colors and cloths and lush greenery. But don't let that fool you.

Though our attention will have turned toward Christmas, we will still be celebrating Thanksgiving--for the greatest gift ever given.

Thanks Be to God!