O COME, let us sing unto the LORD; let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
As a child, Thanksgiving Day was devoted to the celebration of the Pilgrims’ first year in the new world; their thankfulness for being delivered from a harsh winter, and a bountiful harvest to get them through the one to come. At least that is what I remember from my grade school days. We dressed up like Pilgrims and Indians and sang and recited the story of the Great Thanksgiving to the delight of our friends and family. There was nothing remotely “religious” about it.Yet the Holy Eucharist celebrated in our churches this Thanksgiving tells a story from scripture those Pilgrims knew very well. As we gather around the altar this holiday we’ll use words that mean the very same thing. Eucharist is Greek for thanksgiving. There is a fundamental connection between the Thanksgiving feast we share with family and friends and the Thanksgiving feast we share every time we receive communion.
Naturally, on this day we give thanks not just for our own personal blessings, but also the blessing of coming before the King each time we share the thanksgiving feast as a church family. The Pilgrims’ thanksgiving came after a devastating winter where many people suffered the loss of loved ones and friends. Yet, they still gathered to give thanks to one another and God.
In my family there is a little one at the table this year for the first time. We also have one on the way who may make her appearance by then. And for each of us, there are also empty places at the table. Through our joys and losses, we are reminded in verse 2 of Psalm 95 to, come before his presence with thanksgiving; and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
For many of us it’s the pies or a juicy turkey that prompts a story about past Thanksgivings - who liked pumpkin or pecan, or why we like our dressing dry or moist - who always grabbed a leg and who wanted white meat - or my son-in-law, John’s understanding of fine wine. I remember the wonderful divinity salads my mother made, and my grandmother’s oyster dressing. And there is nothing more wonderful than a helping of my wife’s corn soufflé.
This year let us also remember, as we gather with our loved ones, the story of the night when Jesus gathered with his disciples, breaking bread, taking and pouring wine, declaring them his body and blood, saying whenever we do these things He would be with us again. For that, we can all be truly thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving!
+Ian
