Thanksgiving: More Than a Celebration of Blessings

When I think about Thanksgiving, I think about much more than gathering around a table with family and friends, enjoying a wonderful meal and remembering the blessings we have received. I think about our responsibility to acknowledge the One from whom every blessing comes.

Throughout our nation's history, presidents have called us to gather in thanksgiving, humility, repentance and prayer. Thanksgiving was intended to be more than a celebration of our prosperity. It was an opportunity to acknowledge our dependence on Almighty God.

On Oct. 3, 1789, during the first year of his presidency, George Washington issued his National Day of Thanksgiving Proclamation:

" Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor … we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all … to render our national government a blessing to all the People … to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue.”

What I appreciate about Washington's Thanksgiving proclamation is his acknowledgment of the One upon whom he depended. He frequently used the word providence, recognizing God's care and guidance over His creation.

As I read his proclamation, I see three important truths that I believe are just as meaningful today as they were more than two centuries ago.

First, we are called to unite in prayer.

Washington called the nation to humble itself before the Ruler of Nations. Although he held the highest office in our government, he recognized an authority greater than his own.

What a wonderful picture of humility! Regardless of our position in life, whether we are elected officials, community leaders or neighbors, we all stand before the same Almighty God.

Scripture reminds us in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to offer prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings for all people, including kings and those in authority.

Second, we are called to acknowledge our sins and seek God's forgiveness.

Washington urged the people to beseech God to pardon our national and other transgressions.

Romans 3:23 reminds us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. None of us comes before Him claiming to be righteous through our own efforts.

We learn that something wonderful happens when people humble themselves before the Lord. Our differences become less important as we recognize our common need for His mercy and grace.

Third, we are called to become a blessing to others.

Washington prayed that God would enable the government to become a blessing to all people.

This is especially important. Thanksgiving should not end with acknowledging what God has done for me. It should cause me to ask what He wants to do through me.

James 1:17 reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from above. And when God blesses us, He gives us opportunities to share those blessings with others.

A Nation Invited to Worship

During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln brought Thanksgiving to national prominence through his 1863 proclamation, calling Americans to observe the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and praise.

In a separate proclamation on July 7, 1864, Lincoln invited government officials, those serving in the military and the American people

“to assemble in their preferred places of public worship on that day and there and then to render to the Almighty and Merciful Ruler of the Universe such homages and such confessions and to offer to Him such supplications as the Congress of the United States have in their aforesaid resolution so solemnly, so earnestly and so reverently recommended.”

These words were spoken during a time of tremendous suffering and division. Yet even in the midst of war, the nation was being called to seek God. I am reminded of 2 Chronicles 7:14, where God calls His people to humble themselves, pray, seek His face and turn from their wicked ways.

True thanksgiving begins with a humble heart that recognizes its complete dependence on God.

Our Gratitude Gathering

This Thanksgiving morning, we have an opportunity to put these principles into practice.

We will gather on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg, Virginia, for our Gratitude Gathering, joining fellow believers and neighbors in thanksgiving and prayer.

We will come from different churches, different communities and different walks of life. We may not agree on everything, but we can gather with a shared desire to honor Almighty God.

We will thank Him for His faithfulness, pray for those entrusted with leadership, seek His forgiveness and ask Him to bring healing to our communities and our nation.

My prayer is that this gathering will be more than an annual tradition.

I pray that it will remind us that our greatest blessing is not found in our possessions, our prosperity or even our freedoms, as precious as they are. Our greatest blessing is the opportunity to know Jesus Christ personally and experience the love, forgiveness and eternal life that He offers.

And when we truly experience His love, we cannot help but desire to share it with others.

So, as we gather this Thanksgiving, I want to come before the Lord with a grateful heart, ready to listen, ready to serve and excited about what He has prepared for us.

I find myself asking Him:

“Lord, what do You want to do in our lives? What do You want to do in Loudoun County? How can we become Your instruments of love and grace to those around us?”

And then, with a heart full of gratitude and expectation, I want to say:

“Lord, I can't wait to see what You are going to do next!”

Be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman