What does it mean when we say "Thanksgiving?"

What does it mean when we say “Give Thanks at Thanksgiving?”

We often hear other people say “Happy Thanksgiving” or they say “don’t forget to Give Thanks” at the thanksgiving table or around the shopping malls.

What does this actually mean and how can you “give-thanks?”

It means different things to different people, but here are a couple of ideas.

For one, give thanks to God for the opportunities to be with family and friends, or thanks to God for the blessings of life, friendships and families that surround us. Or give thanks to God for the blessings of prosperity as demonstrated by our gracious host and family with this layout of food, linens, generosity, and time, as well as in inviting us into their home.

You could also give thanks to the people who are not able to be here this Thanksgiving, those soldiers overseas fighting and serving in our military, our friends and family who are out of town, perhaps sharing thanks with other loved ones, and to those family and friends who can’t be with us who have died. They have all touched and blessed our lives in one form or another, and we give thanks to have shared a little time with them.

Each of you have another opportunity to give thanks even after you leave here today, by giving someone you don’t know thanks, by giving a hand-up, not a hand-out.

My favorite way to do this is www.kiva.org. An opportunity where you can not only help, but help create an ongoing opportunity for those less fortunate, and to build a life long thanksgiving that might include getting someone started in their own business or enterprise. Your small hand-up does make a difference there.

So give thanks in your own way this year and may you see “Thanksgiving” a little differently than you did before you heard this thanksgiving prayer.

amen