Christmas trees have been in the stores for weeks and neighborhoods are beginning to shine with Christmas decorations. That can only mean one thing: Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

Given the commercialism of Christmas, it seems Thanksgiving is often overlooked. This is Thanksgiving week in America, so let’s linger here for a few days. Today we answer the question, “Is Thanksgiving a Christian holiday?” and tomorrow we’ll get a Jewish perspective.

Giving thanks is certainly a Christian value, but is Thanksgiving a Christian holiday? A case can be made.

The origins of Thanksgiving go back to the Old World when Puritans longed to be free to worship as they desired. When forced to the New World to find freedom, the pilgrims offered thanks and enjoyed what we view now as the first Thanksgiving feast with Native American Indians once they arrived and began to establish themselves.

But let’s go deeper by considering 4 things about Thanksgiving:

1. We were created for Thanksgiving. God created us for gratitude and we exist to appreciate Him! Being thankful brings honor to God. But, despite being created for it…
2. We have fallen from Thanksgiving. We have failed miserably in our created purpose of gratitude. The problem began in the Garden of Eden when, instead of being satisfied and grateful for all God had provided, Adam and Eve were swayed by Satan’s temptation to pursue what they didn’t have rather than be grateful for what they had. Unfortunately, we have continued that practice.
3. We are redeemed by Thanksgiving. Thankfully, Jesus Himself entered our thankless world to redeem us. Not only did He die to forgive our failures, but over and over in Scripture, He modeled thankfulness to the Father for us. We would do well to emulate!
4. We are freed for Thanksgiving. By faith in Jesus, we are redeemed from sin, including our ingratitude! That frees us to be even more thankful to God and His goodness. To continuously express gratefulness to God is what we are called to and God’s grace to us makes it possible!

Only in Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit does a Christian fulfill the call of God. So, is Thanksgiving a Christian holiday? Of course…to those who wish to see it that way! As you prepare to make this Thanksgiving a day of unmatched gratitude toward our God and Savior, prepare your heart today.

If Jesus is not yet your Lord and Savior, you need Him today! He is waiting to redeem you and to free you to worship Him in praise and thanksgiving. What a great time to invite Him in!