Be Diligent. Give Thanks.

Are you enjoying it yet? I’m talking about Christmas music and decorations. You’ve heard it and seen it, right?

            You need to know something about me.  There is not a 63-year-old man in the world who enjoys Christmas more than I do.  I will help put up the trees (yes, plural), hang wreaths, and put up my manger scene in the front yard. 

            And on Friday, November 25 my radio station will be set to Christmas music for the next month. 

But….and this is big.  I plan to wait until the day after Thanksgiving.  As much as I love Christmas, Thanksgiving remains my favorite holiday.  First of all, there is the food.  I do love me some fried turkey, and my wife makes a mean pan of dressing.  And then there are the desserts. Tina makes a derby pie, which is a combination of pecan and chocolate in the same pie. Just wow.

Clearly my appetite can cloud my judgment.  But the thing about the fourth Thursday in Thanksgiving that sets it apart is that we all take the time to give thanks to the One who made us and sustains us.  God has been so good to us all. He is worthy of our praise, of our service, and of our gratitude.

I know that many get their Black Friday shopping started late on Thanksgiving Day.  But please allow me to encourage you in this way. Don’t jump the gun. Don’t forget to give thanks.  God is good. He deserves our thanks. In fact, Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” So be careful. Be diligent. Give thanks.