by Dale Reeves

Story Pastor

 

My wife, and several other people I know, have been watching Hallmark Christmas movies for weeks now. Many people in our neighborhood have already put up their Christmas lights, decorations, and—can you believe it—their Christmas trees! OK, I confess that I assembled and decorated my personal little “Man Cave” Christmas tree filled with my sports and hobbies ornaments this past week. Next Monday, our staff and other difference makers will come together to deck the halls at Christ’s Church for the next month. And, just this past Tuesday morning I received an invite from Jenne Kennard, our church’s First Impressions coordinator, to help with the “Christmas Tear Down” at church on January 2, 2024! What?!? Props to Jenne, she is efficient and uber organized . . . but we haven’t even gotten through Thanksgiving yet!?!

 

Somewhere between the two holidays where we celebrate all things pumpkin spice and peppermint mocha is a holiday that sometimes gets pinched in the process—Thanksgiving. It’s the day where we wake up smelling savory aromas coming from the kitchen, catch a bit of the Macy’s parade, realize what we forgot to buy at the grocery store, overeat, watch some Detroit Lions football—who happen to be really good this year for once—and take naps induced by tryptophan and carb-loaded stuffing. Then, we check out all the Black Friday ads in the paper and online, then saunter back to the fridge for leftovers and our favorite piece of pecan or pumpkin pie smothered with whipped cream. Is Thanksgiving just that—a holiday squeezed in between Halloween and Christmas in your life—or is it more?

 

More to This Holiday

The first formal proclamation of Thanksgiving in America was when President George Washington declared November 26, 1789, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. However, we credit Abraham Lincoln for declaring Thanksgiving a federal holiday in 1863—during the American Civil War. He called for a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficient Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” His declaration had been prompted by a series of editorials written by Sarah Josepha Hale, the author of the nursery rhyme, “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

 

Think about that for a moment. Long before women in our country were given the right to vote, this woman was influential in not only writing a nursery rhyme we have all read to our children and grandchildren, she also influenced a president to declare Thanksgiving as a federal holiday. Sarah Hale had written a number of editorials urging Americans to put aside sectional feelings and rally around the unifying cause of giving thanks. Lincoln declared that the federal holiday should take place on the last Thursday of November each year in hopes of helping to “heal the wounds of the nation.” May that be one of our prayers this year as well!

 

’Twas the Day After Thanksgiving

Biblical scholar and professor Clement Clarke Moore composed the most iconic Christmas poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” (also known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”) for his children in 1822. My apologies to him for my rendition on the day after Thanksgiving . . .

 

’Twas the day after Thanksgiving, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, no one had yet roused.

The plates were still stacked in the sink with little care,

In hopes that an angel would soon answer the prayer

To visit the kitchen and roll up his sleeves,

And wash the dishes that were as thick as thieves.

 

The parents were still snoozing in their food-induced slumber,

The kids were just waking, and they had them outnumbered.

They jumped on the bed and created such clamor,

It seemed as loud as a deafening jackhammer.

As the parents woke up and wiped the sand from their eyes,

The kids screamed, “Wake up, you’re in for a surprise.”

 

They sauntered downstairs and turned on the lights,

To view the leftovers in the fridge from last night.

There’s turkey and dressing and a bit of pumpkin pie,

But all the milk for cereal has gone bye-bye.

Then one of the children shouted, “On the porch there’s a surprise.”

The package was delivered from a well-known franchise.

 

Then out the door burst the youngest of the clan,

As quick and nimble as Jackie Chan.

He grabbed the package that said Amazon,

And tore open the carton like Genghis Khan.

The children all stared into the inside of the box,

Not knowing if they’d find some blocks or Christmas sox.

 

“It might be a red fox,” said one child, “or some magic rocks,”

Another chimed in, “or some dark chocolate from Brach’s.”

A little squealed out, “I think it’s three bears and Goldilocks,”

The oldest shouted loudest, “An old-school boombox.”

Then Mom added, “I don’t think so, kids, could it be botox?”

And Dad wishfully hoped for a brand-new toolbox.

 

As they pulled out the wrapped package, their eyes widened with glee,

They wondered why this box had not come down the chimney.

Inside the glittery paper, wrapped so neatly and nice

Was a well-worn Bible filled with time-tested advice.

The writings inside seemed to be from the past,

From generations gone by, these truths were unsurpassed.

 

The Good Book fell open to Colossians chapter three, verse fifteen,

“Let the peace of Christ in your hearts be always seen,

Since as members of one body you were called to peace,

Be thankful always, let your gratitude never cease.”

The youngest asked, “You mean it’s not just one day of the year,

That we can celebrate Thanksgiving with joy and cheer?”

 

“Oh no,” said the momma, as she smiled from ear to ear,

“Thanksgiving is an attitude of gratitude, my dear.

We can take this feel-good mood of love and mirth,

And keep the celebration going as we ponder Jesus’ birth.

This year has been so tough, that’s plain for all to see,

But God has never left us, that’s the reality.”

 

God spoke his words of life and breathed life into each soul,

He sent his Son to die so that we would be made whole.

He gave us his Word, and his promises he has kept,

He asks us to respond to his gift and just accept.

The box he gives to us is life so full and free,

He’s given us redemption for all eternity.

 

In the midst of your hustle and bustle this weekend, family gatherings, overeating, football, board games, Christmas movies, and Black Friday shopping, make sure to pause and count your blessings, giving thanks to the One who gives us all good gifts. We have so much to be thankful for!

 

“ . . . Always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:15-17, NLT, emphasis mine).