Can you smell the turkey? Can you hear the chatter of friends and family? Is your heart full of anticipation of the coming celebration? Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays of the year. What are we thankful for? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I remember the Harvest Festival we had at Emmanuel Baptist Church where I was the Pastor back in the late 90’s. We used the occasion of Thanksgiving to come together as one body in Christ. Let me explain. Emmanuel Baptist Church reached out to several different people groups, Deaf, Hearing, Romanian, Moldavian, Korean, Central Asian, Nepali, Bhutanese and the list goes on. Most times we meet at different times because each service was in a different language. The Harvest Festival was different; we would all come together for one worship service and to partake of the Lord’s Supper as one congregation.

That event was special, standing room only. We enjoyed worship together as each group brought something to share. No one understood all that was said, but God did, it was just a snapshot of heaven, all people from all nations together worshiping one God.

It reminded me of a family reunion of sorts, when the in-laws and outlaws come together to celebrate. They celebrate for one reason, they are family. It is good to be with family and friends; eating and drinking, catching up on each other’s lives, sharing special moments, relaxing as a family.

We should feel at home with each other. Sometimes, however, we need to define family. If this is a day to be celebrated, it should be with those who have become family. It is okay if they are not necessarily our relatives. There can be tension in the “family” and this isn’t a day to deal with that.

I don’t recommend including everyone because they are related by blood or marriage. I know that may sound odd, but it is necessary to understand that not every relationship is beneficial to us, even family ones. Sometimes we have to distance ourselves and protect ourselves from “family”. We each need to understand that and include those who we can truly relax around and celebrate.

Matthew 12; 46-50; NLT; As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.”

Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”

There is another family we can belong to also, the family of God. We enter into that family through faith in Christ. The goal of this family is to love one another as God loves us.

Paul writes to the church at Colossi how thankful he is to have them as family members;

Colossians 1:3-4; NLT; We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people,

Paul’s comments bring to mind an interesting point, have we been a blessing to someone? Have we given someone a reason to be thankful for us? Many times we are on the receiving end of someone’s grace and kindness. In fact it is by the grace of God that we are saved from death and destruction. That should move us to be a blessing for someone else.

Think about those we are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Think about those who have loved us, supported us, provided for us, and encouraged us. Then think about what we have done for others. Have we done the same for someone else? God gives us the ability to reach out to those in need. Take the opportunity to give back something.

We have been blessed with a Lord and Savior, not everyone knows the peace that comes from knowing Christ. We need to rejoice in that; we need to live a life that shows the love of God; we need to be a blessing to others.

Philippians 4:4-7; Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

May the grace and peace of God be with you this Thanksgiving holiday. May the blessing of friends and family make this a special time. May the memories you share encourage you to be a blessing for someone.

God’s Continued Blessings,

Pastor Don