Happy Thanksgiving!

One of my friends on Facebook said something that reminded me about how much I love Thanksgiving.  I love the "holiday season" in general--that period of time from Reformation Day (or All Saints Eve, if you wish) through New Year's Day--with all the colors, the change in the weather, the decorations, the music, and all the traditional festivities of the season.  Like most people, it's my favorite time of year.

But when I reflect on the two major holidays of this season (Thanksgiving and Christmas), if I had to rank one above the other, I think Thanksgiving would come out on top.  Why is this, you might wonder?

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Thanksgiving isn't completely driven by mass consumerism?  There's less pressure from the retail industry to buy "stuff" for Thanksgiving (they got started on Christmas, already, months ago).  There's no scurrying around, trying to find the perfect gift for everyone in your family.  And while some money is spent on the Thanksgiving Dinner, it pales in comparison to the amount spent on gifts for Christmas.

What's even better, though, is what Thanksgiving focuses upon.  It is intentionally a day set apart to give thanks to God for His abundant and gracious provision for all of our needs.  This is made evident to us and we experience it firsthand in a symbolic way through our partaking in a great Thanksgiving feast.

But eating such a big meal alone would be pointless.  We partake of Thanksgiving meal in the company of family and friends.  Often, people invite into their homes others who have no place to go.  Just as with a good bottle of wine, the greatest part of Thankgiving is sharing it with others.

A large and yet intimate gathering of friends and family, assembled around a table, sharing time and food and experiences, and enjoying the goodness of God--that's true koinonia or "communion."  And isn't that a big part of what life is about?

"Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever" - the Westminster Shorter Catechism, Answer #1.

Happy Thanksgiving!  Soli Deo Gloria! 

Van

Jesus, our Emmanuel

At this time of year, we listen to (and, hopefully, sing) a lot of Christmas carols. I was listening to Wesley's "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" today and began thinking about one verse in particular:

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see:
Hail, the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark, the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!

This verse is full of rich theological concepts, packaged into a compact little piece of poetry. It is the product of talent, skill, and a thorough understanding of God's Word. My heart rejoices to sing such wonderful words about my Savior. Would that today's Christian musicians produce such works of eloquence and biblical fidelity.

Glory to the newborn King! Merry Christmas to you and yours.