There’s a lot of buzz these days about doing away with the holidays as we know them. Everything from alternative menus to refusing to celebrate the day itself b/c of it’s supposed by some to be a symbol of exploitation of other people.

1. But I love it. I love that families go to great lengths to be together, that we enjoy special foods together, that it’s a time when most normal activities stop & we focus on other things.
2. I mostly love it b/c it’s an to collectively give thanks to God for all of His blessings. I’ve always loved the fact that even people who claim they don’t believe often talk about being “thankful,” & you can’t be thankful w/out being thankful TO someone.
3. And I fear that many of the attempts to alter or eliminate Thanksgiving have more to do with wanting to eliminate God from our cultural mindset than with any of the supposed “causes” people claim to be championing.
4. But in reality, a day like Thanksgiving isn’t about a particular day, is it? It’s about an attitude of the heart, an attitude with which we live day by day, an attitude that shapes how we behave, not just toward God, but toward each other.
5. Did you notice in our reading that 3 times Paul says something about being thankful? V. 15 – “And be thankful.” V. 16 – sing “with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” V. 17 – “Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
6. And yet, if you look closely at vs. 12-17, they aren’t directly about being thankful, they’re about how we treat one another. About whether or not we’re compassionate, kind, humble, patient, & forgiving. And above all, whether or not we act in love toward each other.
7. In that spirit – & with that attitude – we are to teach & admonish one another as we sing to God.
8. Did you get that? Our gratitude to God should motivate our Godly behavior toward each other. A truly thankful heart is more capable of extending mercy, patience, & forgiveness to others than is an ungrateful one. Thankful people live differently than those who aren’t thankful.
9. So, “whatever you do,” Paul says, “in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
10. And when you do that, you’ll find that your relationships with others will improve dramatically.

As we close, I want to ask you to do two things – silently. First, think of what you are most thankful for that happened to you w/in the past year. Second, think of what you are most thankful for that DIDN’T happen in the past year, something you dreaded or feared, but it didn’t take place, and you’re glad it didn’t. And then let your gratitude overflow all year long.

Tommy South