As the Thanksgiving long weekend is upon us, it's a good time to reflect upon this holiday and what it means for the Canadian Christian.
In Canada, Thanksgiving in the 18th century it was celebrated in December in the province of Quebec and in June by the rest of Canada, as thanksgiving for the end of the war between France and Britain. In 1918, Thanksgiving was proclaimed to be celebrated on the Monday of Armistice week in order to give thanks for the ending of WWI. Since 1957 however, this holiday has been set for the 2nd Monday in October for all of Canada and remains so until this day. Harvest in Canada is also sooner in comparison to the United States, and so is the celebration as a result.
Whatever the reasons, historical background or the day chosen to celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday, we have much to be thankful for. The blessings of peace, the prosperity and general safety of our country, and all that this wonderful country offers us, certainly serves as a basis for this holiday. Of course as Christians, we are thankful for so much more, and do not relegate our offering of thanks to a yearly feast. As Christians we give thanks on a regular basis and regardless of our cultural background we share a common experience when it comes to the giving of thanks.
The Meaning of Thanksgiving in the Bible and Our Lives
Merriam-Webster defines thanksgiving as "the act of giving thanks; or a prayer expressing gratitude." Is this also the Christian meaning of "thanksgiving"? What exactly should Christians give thanks for and why?
"... always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; ..." ~ Ephesians 5:20
"I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness. And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." ~ Psalm 7:17
Let's consider the true meaning and significance of thanksgiving in the Christian faith and the biblical definition of this virtue.
Christian Meaning of Thanksgiving
The spiritual person is the one who is thankful for everything. They are one who receives everything with thanksgiving and who knows that he has nothing except what he has received from God.
"A person can receive not even one thing unless it has been given to him from heaven." ~ John 3:27
"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." ~ James 1:17
In the Old Testament, thanksgiving was fundamental in the life of God’s people. The temple liturgy offered offerings of thanksgiving and praise and sang psalms of thanksgiving regularly to God.
In the New Testament, thanksgiving is the heart of the Church’s life. The word eucharist means thanksgiving, and the very center of the Church’s worship of God is when, in remembrance of all His salvific acts in Christ, the faithful “lift up their hearts” and “give thanks unto the Lord.”
Bible Definition of Thanksgiving
The Gospels introduce, and the Epistles develop the concept that gratitude for God's deliverance in Christ characterizes the believer. When a sinful woman interrupted a dinner party to anoint Jesus with precious perfume, Jesus told His shocked host that her action sprang from gratitude for forgiveness (Luke 7:40-47). When Jesus healed ten lepers as they walked to the temple, He marvelled aloud that only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank Him (Luke 17:11-19). Paul agrees that believers should be thankful for every individual provision and that gratitude for God's saving grace envelops the entire Christian life. Those whom God has brought from death to life should offer their bodies to Him as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13). In view of God's mercies, knowing they were bought at a price, they should offer their bodies to God as living sacrifices in general and honour Him with purity in particular (Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:20). Those who have received an unshakeable kingdom from God should be thankful, worship God, and faithfully endure the hardships of persecution (Hebrews 12:28).
"A general attitude of thanksgiving in both the trials and blessings of life distinguishes the Christian. Paul enjoins his churches to give thanks for all things, in all circumstances (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18), even in suffering (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:1-4), and to do everything in the name of Jesus out of a spirit of gratitude (Colossians 3:17). On the other hand, thanklessness marks godless and wicked men who suppress the truth about God (Romans 1:18-21)." ~ Excerpt from Baker's Dictionary
The Importance of Giving Thanks
The spiritual person has thanksgiving and praise in all circumstances, in everything, and for everything. This thanksgiving is rooted in the total belief of God’s merciful providence and care in all things, in the constant faith that “ ... we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
To thank God in everything and for everything is one of the fruits of faith and faithfulness in God. It is the outcome of complete trust in the Lord who knows best what we need for our salvation and spiritual maturity, and does all that He can within the evil infirmities of the world to bring us to eternal life, peace, and joy. A person is thankful to the degree that he trusts in the Lord and has love for God and man.
This Thanksgiving, as a Christian, reflect upon the many physical and spiritual blessings from God, in good days and bad. Know that your Heavenly Father loves and cares for you intimately, to a point of giving all He has... His Son... to save you from your sins, that you may be redeemed and one day live with Him in Heaven. Know that His Holy Spirit lives within you to encourage, strengthen and keep you close to Him. May we be thankful people, day in and day out, in Jesus name!
If you do not know the peace of God that only comes through Jesus Christ, we encourage you to consider God's Great Love and A Living Hope, only found in Him... something that will truly be something to be thankful for!
Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving Day holiday!
All Scripture verses shown from the New American Standard Bible 2020.