Nov. 27, 2009: Thanksgiving can last longer than a day, by First Presbyterian Christian Education Class
We have all heard the story of the first celebration of Thanksgiving by the pilgrims and Indians and how they joined together to give thanks for their harvest. The practice of Thanksgiving is still widely celebrated today across the United States with family dinners and gatherings.
We each have our family traditions that we celebrate each year. These might include watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or cheering on our favorite football team. However, our traditions always center around food, family, and friends giving thanks for each other and our many blessings.
Many years have passed since the first Thanksgiving and even though the ways that we celebrate have evolved and changed over the decades, the true meaning of Thanksgiving has not been lost. We gather as family and friends bowing our heads together to offer thanks to God for the many blessings we have received.
The fourth Thursday of each November has been set aside by our government as a legal holiday to celebrate Thanksgiving. Although this is the one day that we as a nation step back and reflect on all we have to be thankful for, it should not be the only day that we offer thanks. We should practice Thanksgiving every day to appreciate the many blessings that we have. We can do this by offering our thanks to God daily by prayer and praise like a simple blessing before a meal, or a bedtime prayer. Others may choose to take just a few minutes to pause and quietly reflect on all of the small things that bless their lives each day.
We hope everyone had the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day, and we encourage you to celebrate your blessings each and every day! We wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
— The writers who contributed to this column are Jordyn Gumm, Kacey Gumm, Cassie Lowell, Catherine Wallace and Sharon Wallace. They are all members of the Junior-Senior High Christian Education Class at First Presbyterian Church of Concordia.