Thanksgiving Day (USA) – November 27, 2025
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”
Psalm 100:1-2
Thanksgiving Day includes a mad rush of preparation for family and friends to gather together to thank God for our blessings. We buy turkeys and all the fixings, cook for hours, and clean our homes for company. The grocery stores have been filled with people trying to prepare for the festive meal. There will be a moment during the gathering for prayer, but sometimes it seems like there is little sign of thanksgiving. People push through the aisles, grumbling about the crowds, worrying about the cost and work. It seems like a thankless task for those who do all the work, but I wonder if they are truly thankful for what God has done.
We can’t avoid the usual celebration, the tradition of family gatherings around the table and lazy times watching parades and football. We love those aspects of the day. But this year, as we are buried in turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, let us not lose the purpose of the day. We gather to praise the One who has provided for all our needs. The pilgrims and native Americans who gathered for the first Thanksgiving may have been celebrating their friendship and the good things they had done for one another, but they were also praising God for His provision.
  Rather than giving God just five minutes of half-hearted prayers, let us sing praises to God as we prepare for the feast. Instead of grumbling at the crowds, thank God for your neighbors. Rather than complain about the cost of the ingredients, thank God that you have food and buy a little extra to share. Take a walk and praise God for His creation. Enjoy the all people who cross your path. This Thanksgiving will be more joyful as we truly thank God for all things. Let us make a joyful noise for the One who deserves our praise because He has done great things for us. 

Thanksgiving Day (USA) – November 27, 2025
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”
Psalm 100:1-2
Thanksgiving Day includes a mad rush of preparation for family and friends to gather together to thank God for our blessings. We buy turkeys and all the fixings, cook for hours, and clean our homes for company. The grocery stores have been filled with people trying to prepare for the festive meal. There will be a moment during the gathering for prayer, but sometimes it seems like there is little sign of thanksgiving. People push through the aisles, grumbling about the crowds, worrying about the cost and work. It seems like a thankless task for those who do all the work, but I wonder if they are truly thankful for what God has done.
We can’t avoid the usual celebration, the tradition of family gatherings around the table and lazy times watching parades and football. We love those aspects of the day. But this year, as we are buried in turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, let us not lose the purpose of the day. We gather to praise the One who has provided for all our needs. The pilgrims and native Americans who gathered for the first Thanksgiving may have been celebrating their friendship and the good things they had done for one another, but they were also praising God for His provision.
  Rather than giving God just five minutes of half-hearted prayers, let us sing praises to God as we prepare for the feast. Instead of grumbling at the crowds, thank God for your neighbors. Rather than complain about the cost of the ingredients, thank God that you have food and buy a little extra to share. Take a walk and praise God for His creation. Enjoy the all people who cross your path. This Thanksgiving will be more joyful as we truly thank God for all things. Let us make a joyful noise for the One who deserves our praise because He has done great things for us.