In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October to give thanks to our God of Creation for an abundant harvest, for the blessings of the past year.  This tradition finds roots in ancient cultures and peoples, as well as in the “new” life in the recently discovered and developing lands.

Thanksgiving-vs Gratitude

Thankful?  Or Grateful?  Or are the two words interchangeable?  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines thankful as “conscious of benefits received” while defining grateful as “appreciative of benefits received.” I think that Thanksgiving Day is a celebration in both senses.  We take time to become conscious of benefits received, and also reflect on these benefits and become appreciative of and energized from them.

The first benefit that comes to minds is the culmination of a successful season of farming, fishing, or hunting.  Yes, the abundant harvest becomes a reason for hope.  There will be enough for all. We think of fish, meat, fruits and vegetables that we can preserve for future use as well as for the immediate celebration.

Also, the people with whom we live and work are a reason to celebrate. They have contributed to the success of the endeavor and to our well-being.  We are all together in this.  Friends, Family, even strangers.

We can also expand our thanks and gratitude to the broader world; to earth, sky, seas, animals, birds and even insects. These are all gifts from our Creator for the betterment of our lives. How often do we think of this and give thanks?

Our thanksgiving can even go deeper – to our inner being, where our emotions, joys and sorrows abide. We also carry many gifts there, unaware of them perhaps, but we are all called and gifted by God. We can allow our consciousness to be aware of them and enrich our lives and the lives of others.

“And God saw that it was very go” (Genesis 1)

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
(1Thessalonians 5:18).

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.”  (Ps. 100:4-5)
Did you know Psalm 100 is entitled “A Psalm of Thanksgiving”?

“Amen! Praise and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and strength
be to our God forever and ever. Amen!”
(Revelation 7:12)