Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, but I have noticed a trend to skip right past Halloween and directly into the Christmas season. I have nothing against Christmas, of course! Celebrating the birth of our Savior is an essential part of the Christian faith—but a case can be made that Thanksgiving has been undersold, and it needs more of our time and attention!
As a child, Thanksgiving was the chance to spend time with extended family and participate in fun traditions. As parents, it became an opportunity to start our own traditions, such as a post-meal domino tournament, while enjoying a much-loved pastime of cooking for our family.
As a home educator and teacher, Thanksgiving offered some history lessons. Most of what we know about the first Thanksgiving is shrouded in myth, as it is only mentioned briefly in journal entries by William Bradford and a single letter written by one of the Plymouth colonists. It does seem clear, however, that their celebration was quite different from the holiday as practiced today—and definitely no pumpkin pie or cranberry salad!
That’s not really the point, though. The reason the Pilgrims celebrated was less about their change of fortune, thanks to the Wampanoag leaders, but more about their faith. The Bible contains over 150 verses about gratitude and thankfulness. These persecuted believers understood the essential truth that God has called Christians to thankfulness, regardless of their circumstances.
The first official Thanksgiving holiday was celebrated in 1863, during what was arguably the lowest point in our nation’s history: The Civil War. By all historical accounts, it seems clear that Abraham Lincoln was struggling with a deep depression during this season of his Presidency, yet like the Pilgrims, he understood the fundamental truth that Christians are called to thankfulness, regardless of their circumstances.
An unfortunate side effect of modern living, where struggles are less chronic, is that people often forget to count their blessings. Whereas suffering focuses people on gratitude for the simplest things, ease creates complacency.
Yet there are so many significant reasons to practice gratitude—often as simple as taking one moment a day to think of two or three specifics that you appreciate. Regular thankfulness is shown to decrease anxiety and depression, improve health and longevity, and strengthen relationships. Still, most importantly, Christians are called to thankfulness, regardless of their circumstances.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
This is why Thanksgiving is so crucial—and we shouldn’t rush past it to Christmastime, which can be a complicated mixture of expectations. Whereas Christmastime reminds us to be thankful for Christ, Thanksgiving reminds us to be thankful because of Christ. Thanksgiving doesn’t pretend to offer joy and glad tidings. It asks only a moment of our time. In return, it provides gentle blessings of peace, contentment, serenity, and comfort.
Ultimately, Thanksgiving serves as a profound reminder that gratitude is a foundational practice for those of us who follow Christ. It’s an opportunity to pause, reflect, and embrace the abundance in our lives, both big and small, before the joyous hustle of Christmas begins.
This year, let’s reclaim the heart of Thanksgiving, allowing its simple message of gratitude to fill our hearts and homes, not just during the holidays, but throughout the year. Have a blessed Thanksgiving season.
Lisa Nehring and her husband, Dr. David Nehring, a Clinical Psychologist, and Biblical Scholar speak together on a wide variety of topics, including education, classical education, vision, mission, parenting, marriage, and more.
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