Is anyone else out there confused? I don’t understand how “the holidays” have become some kind of all inclusive package that stretches from Halloween to Christmas? It seems like they have all congealed into one big amorphous mess. I saw someone last month wearing a T-shirt that said “Happy Hallowgivngmas.” People in these parts take down their Halloween decorations and immediately set up their Christmas lights. I know  I have reached the stage in my life where I could be classified as a curmudgeonly old fuddy-duddy, but I just don’t understand why people have Christmas decorations on their homes and in their yards in mid-November. I understand the marketing strategy of the retailers – even if I don’t like it – trying to get people to shop early and shop often. But does having your Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving aid in celebrating the birth of Jesus or make it anti-climactic by the time December 25 arrives?

I’m really not trying to say, “Bah, humbug!” I’m all for celebrating on Holidays. But I try to remember what we read in Ecclesiastes 3: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. I also try to remember that traditions are manmade and not divinely instituted. I believe there is value in many of the traditions we have in this country. The one that occurs to me in particular right now is observing a National Day of Thanksgiving.

That is what prompted my little tirade at the beginning of this article. It seems to me that Thanksgiving is getting pushed into the background, almost to the point of being ignored. There is always plenty of talk about “Black Friday” and the new marketing strategy to get people to buy online – which started back in October this year! But you don’t see or hear much mention of Thanksgiving itself. Sure, we all enjoy having the day off, but has it devolved into nothing more than a day of football and overeating and getting ready for the big shopping sprees?  Do you take the time to be thankful?

For believers in Christ, every day is a day to give thanks. When you know the love of God that was willing to sacrifice Himself as the payment for your sin, opening heaven and life everlasting for you, you have reason to be grateful. Jesus Christ crucified and risen is my reason to rejoice and be thankful. And this is not just something for the future. Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). We have peace already, a present reality. We know we belong to Him and He is with us in everything. We have reason to give thanks.

Having a special day to give thanks is a good thing. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation that set the precedent for our National Day of Thanksgiving. In that proclamation, he encouraged everyone to “observe the last Thursday of November … as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” In other words, set aside a specific time to say “thank you” to God. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

It is my prayer that the people of our nation adopt this kind of attitude and mentality. I think that would go a long way toward everyone getting along better. Even on “Black Friday.”

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)