A note on this finest of holiday, when it is interesting to think about the spiritual nature of such an event.

Now Thanksgiving is not what I would call a religious holiday. It may be connected historically with the story of some new neighbors with sweet brass buckle shoes and some American Indian chefs offering their most succulent of local recipes, but this story simply tacks on the idea of God being involved to add a reasonable conclusion for the name. I'll come back to the name.

But I am truly convinced that society since the establishment of this as a national holiday has not taken any queue from the religious frame of the original tale. I would hold that only the most devote of atheists would even think to object to this holiday in any way. I wouldn't be surprise to see an entire extended family of atheists using Thanksgiving as a time for family reunion. I assume such families exist.

Regardless, Thanksgiving isn't a very well conceived name for most. The name is so simple, just two words unnaturally combined together. In any other situation any grammarian would object greatly. The first word is given a few minutes of fame at most thoughtful or traditional Thanksgiving events. Given, this isn't much, but its a start.

But giving.

The word "giving" is simple to analyze, a first year English student could tackle it. Its a form of "give" which in any form implies two parties involved. So the avoided or ignored question becomes simply, "Who are you giving to?" Most are not really giving to anyone on Thanksgiving. Some are giving to friends and family, or trying to convince themselves and/or others to the same effect. But such a very few are giving to the One whom they can truly thank for being at the end of any train of actions. The giving is the key. Is anyone really giving at all? And to whom?

This holiday is such a great opportunity. In my opinion(which shouldn't sway you too much) it is one of the greatest opportunities for the Christian to honor God in a holiday for in modern American culture, and the greatest natural opportunity for the Gospel. I mean, common, Christmas is not a holiday to be simply dismisses. Almost without fail, all recognized holiday have a grand opportunity to glorify God within them. However, take a look at the modern state of things. Christmas is a day with a history of confusion. Halloween literally has a greater Christian history than Christmas. But today, Christmas in society is mostly either commercialized, or people complaining about commercialization and begging off for a more traditional outlook. But Linus isn't wrong in this.

Christmas is a great time to reflect and be thankful. In this respect it is the same as Thanksgiving. Easter is perhaps the greatest of Christian holiday opportunities. It is a day widely remembered to be more about Christ's death than eggs and sweet new clothes. But my contention lies the mostly greatly in the missional opportunity within Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to thank God in a greater spectrum than Christmas or Easter, although I would hold that Easter is a needed opportunity to focus more greatly on the greatest of issue in life. Thanksgiving gives us the chance to be purposeful for an entire day, or even an entire holiday break, to think about how infinitely blessed are we. It also creates a great situation for ministry opportunity. A small amount of focus on a Christian's part can provide thought-provoking and life altering insight and perspective for those surrounding him.

At this point I am reminded of one of my favorite classic movie characters, one Elwood P. Dowd. Jimmy Stewart portrayed this slightly delusional character, bent on seeing the good in every situation and person. Throughout the movie Harvey, he asks everyone he meets over for dinner. From the cab driver to the parolee bum to the psychiatric physicians meant to "cure" him. The movie ends before this dinner, but I would find the greatest of joys in seeing this mish-mash of acquaintances who are shown such affection by an almost-stranger. This would make a beautiful scene of Christian service on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving provides a truly magnificent opportunity to glorify God not simply in remembrance or honoring thoughts, but in pro-active accomplishment of thankful service and true conversion to more appropriate mental frameworks.