Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for several reasons. Memories of food, football, family, and fun abound. The sacred time of Advent and Christmas lie before us giving rise to hope and expectation, and yet this secular holiday touches on a deeply sacred theme.

The essence of our weekly worship at St. Bart’s is “thanksgiving.” In fact the communion prayer is often called the “Great Thanksgiving.” It’s also why we call our Sunday service “The Eucharist,” which is Greek for giving thanks.

Sunday night Chris encouraged us all to pray the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father, who art in heaven…”) each morning and night this week in order to invite the gracious King and his Kingdom to have his way in our own lives. And though the word “thanks” isn’t uttered in this prayer, it is marked by an air of gratitude. We can’t think of our Heavenly Father without being grateful he has adopted us as his daughters and sons. We are overcome with thankfulness as we consider being members of his kingdom, his constant provision of our needs, and his forgiveness of our many sins.

As you celebrate today, having had your week marked with this kingdom prayer, 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+