I've often said that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. That is because it is the one holiday that is the least commercialized. It's all about being thankful for what you already have, due to the goodness and grace of God. Thanksgiving does not prompt one to go out and buy hoards of candy, lavish decorations or expensive gifts. It simply leads one to quietly reflect upon the many blessings we do enjoy, and then to praise the God who is responsible for every good and perfect gift.

Because Thanksgiving has meant so much to me, I have been jealous of it being sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas, seemingly unnoticed by most of society. I've also been irritated to see the commercialization of Christmas encroaching upon us earlier each year. Therefore, I've had an "unwritten rule" that I would not play or sing any Christmas music until after Thanksgiving...but ladies and gentlemen, something is happening to me! I have found myself getting anxious for Christmas music, and at the time of this writing, it is not yet the end of October! Will I now become like those I've formerly resented? Will I join those who overlook Thanksgiving and use it only as an excuse to eat turkey and watch football? God forbid!!

I am more convinced than ever that Thanksgiving is not only a blessed holiday, but it is to be a way of life for the Christian. We are to give thanks for all things, in all circumstances, at all times, (Eph. 5:20 and I Thes. 5:18). But this year I am going to personally combine Thanksgiving and Christmas in my innermost being...having a spirit of gratitude for all of God's wonderful gifts, but being mindful of the greatest gift of all, His only begotten Son.

The verse that burns in my heart and mind as I write to you today is, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift", (II Cor. 9:15). To me, that verse envelopes BOTH Thanksgiving ("Thanks be to God"...) and Christmas (..."for His indescribable Gift").

So this year, I look forward to Thanksgiving and I won't mind the encroaching sights and sounds of Christmas because it will remind me of my greatest reason to be thankful..."For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (that means you or me) believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). So..."Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift"!! Dear friend, believe it, receive it, and join me in thanking God for it!