Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for several reasons. Memories of food, football, family, and fun abound, though these memories are dulled a bit by the malaise of pandemic stress. Though this particular time is marked by stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and fear, the sacred time of Advent and Christmas lie before us giving rise to hope and expectation.

As we have seen in our “Being Christian” sermon series, the essence of our weekly worship at St. Bart’s is “thanksgiving,” or “eucharist” in Greek. And that’s the heart of what we celebrate this Thanksgiving Day.

Sunday night Chris encouraged us all to come to the eucharistic Table as if we are beggars, completely relying on God’s gracious provision for every need - spiritual and physical. As you celebrate today, in this strangest of years, remember that the impulse to give thanks is drawn from our being made in God’s image thus owing our very existence to his kind and gracious love. Join me in giving thanks this week to the Father of heavenly lights from whom every good and perfect gift proceeds, in whom there is no shifting of shadow (James 1:17).

See you Sunday -

Jay+