Culture

Don’t Forget About Thanksgiving

Nathaniel Williams | November 22, 2024
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“Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.”
(Psalm 100:4-5)

When I was a child, we lived far from extended family. Thanksgiving was a quiet day at home which culminated with a traditional Thanksgiving meal at our seldom-used dining room table. With candles lit and food prepared, we’d go around the table and share something we were thankful for.

There’s something special — and uniquely Christian! — about Thanksgiving. You don’t just give thanks for something; you’re giving thanks to someone. Thanksgiving is a public acknowledgment that there is someone from whom all blessings flow — someone who is the author of every good thing.

And thanks to the Bible, we know exactly who that someone is: the triune God of the universe.

Thanksgiving is a public acknowledgment that there is someone from whom all blessings flow.

The practice of giving thanks isn’t unique to those who celebrate this American holiday. The Scriptures show us that the people of God have been doing this sort of thing for centuries. For example, Paul writes:

  • “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
    (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

And not only were God’s people instructed to give thanks as individuals, but they were also called to give thanks together:

  • “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
    (Psalm 95:2)

The practice of gathering to give thanks is good, wise, and biblical. The Thanksgiving holiday is an annual opportunity to practice biblical gratitude.

Forgotten Holiday

Yet every year, Thanksgiving feels increasingly overshadowed as Christmas celebrations continue their creep into November. Hallmark is already playing Christmas movies on loop, Christmas music is blaring in stores, retailers have been offering “Black Friday” deals all month, and homes are peppered with Christmas lights.

None of this is necessarily bad. My kids even persuaded (read: coerced) this Thanksgiving traditionalist into getting decorations up early. And I have to admit that at night, I enjoy the soft glow of the Christmas tree.

But as we wade through garland and holly and listen to Mariah Carey’s Christmas album on loop, I hope we don’t forget Thanksgiving — with its turkey, stuffing, and shared gratitude.

A Thanksgiving Challenge

Can I offer a Thanksgiving challenge? Next week, do what my family did — and what God’s people have done for generations: Pause to give thanks together.

  • Sunday School teacher or small group leaders: Encourage your group to go around the room and give thanks.
  • Pastors: Dedicate part of your worship service this Sunday to allow your flock to give thanks.
  • Parents: Model for your kids how to give thanks and encourage them to do likewise.
  • Friends: Host a a “friendsgiving” and share how God’s blessed you.

If you need a place to start, you can give thanks for:

  • God: for who he is and what he has done
  • others: for your church family, your friends, and your loved ones
  • a particular blessing in 2024.

But no matter how or when you do it, this time of thanksgiving will bless you and those around you.

So, despite the Christmas creep, do give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His steadfast love truly endures forever.

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MDiv Ethics

The Christian Ethics track provides specialized academic training that prepares men and women to impact the culture for Christ through prophetic moral witness and service in a variety of settings.

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Nathaniel D. Williams

Editor and Content Manager

Nathaniel D. Williams (M.Div, Southeastern Seminary) oversees the website, podcast and social media for the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture, and he serves as the pastor of Cedar Rock First Baptist Church. His work has appeared at Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Fathom Mag, the ERLC and BRNow.org. He and his family live in rural North Carolina.

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