Thanksgiving is over. The parade is over and the pumpkin pie is gone. We are five pounds heavier and still eating leftovers! Attention has now turned to the next great celebration . . . Christmas! Fall decorations are being swapped out for Christmas trees and elves on shelves! However, I wonder, did we really “get” Thanksgiving? 

Christmas always means more when we let Thanksgiving really sink in.

What does it mean to let Thanksgiving “sink” in? It means that we learn to value the things we already have been given. It means learning contentment to the point that any time we receive from God or others that our first response is to give thanks for that which we don’t deserve. In Psalm 103 we are brought face to face with so many blessings that we have in Christ. He forgives all our sins. He heals all our diseases. He redeems our lives from destruction. He crowns us with love and compassion. He satisfies us with good things. Let all of that sink in.

Gratitude is a choice. Even in the most difficult times, we are called on to “give thanks to the Lord.” Our society is not so grateful anymore. In fact, gratitude has become rare. Hardly ever do we hear a genuine “thank you.” This year, as the presents pile up under the tree, thank God for the deeper gifts that He has given you, and pass on an attitude of gratitude to others.