We tried to wait…
We tried not to start celebrating Christmas until Thanksgiving was over…

We didn’t quite make it.

In my defense, I had promised the kids a cupcake decorating party. When I went to buy cupcake supplies… there was the Christmas baking display already, looking irresistibly festive.

It’s a challenge, giving thanksgiving its due space before jumping ahead to the gifts. Like putting the cart before the horse… we’re putting the sleigh before the turkey…

forgetting that thanksgiving prepares the way for the Gift.

“Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me;
to those who set a way, I will show the salvation of God.”
(Psalm 50:23, NRSV, literal alternate)

And like the horse and sleigh in the Thanksgiving song…


Over the river and through the woods…

the horse knows the way
to carry the sleigh
through the soft and drifted snow…


the gift of salvation has to forge a path through the drifts of our minds, of our twisted histories and habits, of our dark and overgrown unbelief.

But thanksgiving knows the way.

When Jesus, as a child, was presented in the temple for the first time, an elderly widow was ready for the Gift. Worship and thanksgiving were her habits.

“[Anna] never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them [Mary and Joseph] at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
(Luke 2:37-38, NIV)

This may be a season of fasting, but more likely of feasting… of peacefully waiting… dreading… dying of anticipation…

In finding space for thanksgiving, we set a course toward recognizing the salvation of God, at whatever time and in whatever way He is presented.

“in everything give thanks…”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NASB)