JUST THINKING: Thanksgiving at Christmas
I was just thinking about the “holiday season.” Our nation has recently observed a time of thanksgiving in step with what our forefathers began 400 years ago. While secularism has impacted the perspective, showing gratitude for God’s blessings remains the focus. Of course, many reject the idea of such a holiday!
Transitioning the Season
We have less than three weeks until Christmas day. I think, though, that in the days ahead, Christians should continue the attitude of gratitude into the Christmas season. I propose there are several reasons we should express our thanks to God this season. I share with you only three of many:
• Provision to Position — May each of us realize that from God’s gift of provision that we focus on at Thanksgiving, we can transition to a focus on our position. We once were on the outside looking in, but because of our salvation, we have been placed on the inside — inside God’s family. Paul reminded the Ephesian church of that truth: “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:12-13 NIV).
• Condemnation to Celebration — Every believer knows they stood condemned before trusting Christ. Not only were we in awful positions, but we faced a horrible future. Yet when Christ came to live a sinless life, die on a cruel cross and leave behind an empty tomb, those who believed in Him left behind condemnation and were given a reason for celebration. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:1-2). That, dear friends, is our reason for celebration and thanksgiving at this season and every day we live!
• Discouragement to Delight — The knowledge of being in a bad position and facing God’s condemnation can certainly affect a person’s feelings — clouds of discouragement can set in. That then sets off changes of emotions — doubt, disappointment, delusion and even disgust. However, to the person whose position is in Christ, one who celebrates the gift of everlasting life, the Holy Spirit changes discouragement to rejoicing — delight if you please! The psalmist wrote: “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19).
Christmas is a Time for Thanksgiving
While to some, Thanksgiving has passed, it hasn’t. The national holiday has, but the need for believers to give thanks has not. When Christians focus on why God sent His son to be born in a cattle stall, die on the cross and rise again — that is the real reason during the season to express thanks to God who gave us His Gift.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (I Peter 1:8-9).
This Christmas season, may all of us give thanks for what the Heavenly Father has done in giving us Jesus. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift” (II Cor. 9:15).
A Personal Note
I wish my faithful and loving wife, Karen, a very Happy 55th Anniversary. We were married at Antioch Baptist Church in Conway on Saturday, Dec. 7, 1968.
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Dr. Tom Mitchell
Dr. Tom Mitchell pens a column titled, Just Thinking, in which he addresses many topics relative to the Baptist Missionary Association. His Trailblazers series provides biographies of many BMA trailblazers from the past.
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