Thanksgiving

This is a day defined by American tradition

Who doesn’t like it

Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, squash, GB casserole (scratch that)

Pumpkin, apple, mince pies; and a good nap before/during/after the football game

Some have tried to fully secularize our holiday

Claiming that it was nothing more than a reiteration of Harvest Home of Great Britain

Our current celebration does look something like it; except in antiquity it was in September

Participants celebrate the last day of harvest in late September by singing, shouting, and decorating the village with boughs.

Source: Britannica.com

Our traditions have a fully sacred origin

Gov. Bradford of the Plymouth Bay Colony proclaimed the first for Nov. 29,1623

Now I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and ye little ones, do gather at ye meeting house ..., on Thursday, November 29th, of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings."

George Washington proclaimed in 1789

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

in 1863, President Lincoln said

"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

So, tell me again that this is a secular holiday

As recently as last year, President Donald Trump in his last such message began with

On Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for the abundant blessings in our lives.

Ps 111 does NOT need a lot of exposition; it’s pretty plain on its face

But ohhhh, the questions we must ask of ourselves

The Extolling of His Virtues

vv 1-3

Is our praise to God whole-hearted?

Are we part of a corporate body giving glory and honor to Him who created us; gives us all good things;

Common grace

Do we even recognize it

Are you enjoying God? …or does he have no real place in your day-to-day thoughts

The Enumeration of His Marvels

The Examination of His Being

The Excellence of God’s Gift