Thanksgiving
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. -
Philippians 4:4-9
Friends,
My favorite Holiday is Thanksgiving. This year my wife, Nancy, and I will travel to visit our daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law in North Carolina.
According to CNN, AAA is predicting 55 million people will be traveling by planes, trains, and automobiles. Another report I heard said this will be the most traveled holiday ever. Still, another report said Wednesday and Sunday will be the heaviest travel days.
The stress of travel is worth it to see family.
Thanksgiving was not always a yearly holiday. According to Wikipedia, George Washington issued a proclamation in 1789 to celebrate Thanksgiving on November 26 of that year. It was celebrated on and off until Abraham Lincoln was president.
In 1863 Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation to celebrate Thanksgiving on November 26, the last Thursday of November that year. From that year on presidents declared Thanksgiving to be celebrated the last Thursday of November. This was the practice until Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In 1939 Franklin declared the fourth Thursday, in November as Thanksgiving. There were five Thursdays in November of that year. Finally, in 1941 Congress with the approval of President Roosevelt declared that Thanksgiving be celebrated the fourth Thursday of November beginning in 1942. That is the day it has been celebrated ever since.
Paul talks about letting God know of our needs with thanksgiving. It is a remarkable statement considering he was in prison looking forward to his possible execution. (He was not executed at this time.)
Whatever your situation this year, my prayer is that you and I can see the things for which we can be thankful, beginning with the love of God in Jesus Christ.
Peace
Ricky Adams
Pastor
Peace Lutheran Church
Mill Valley, California