When we don't give thanks...

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving of 2010, and in an attempt to actually take traditions seriously, and develop a richness in celebrating holidays, I'm jotting down a few ponderings on Thanksgiving.

This year I've been struck by how many references I've noticed on TV, on blogs, etc., about Thanksgiving being an awkward holiday for families. For example, take Conan O'Brien, who says via Twitter,

Instead of making anyone travel for Thanksgiving, this year the O'Brien's will have tense, silent meal over Skype.

That's sad. Of course Conan means to be funny; but, his tweet is funny because so many American families lack richness and genuineness in their celebration of Thanksgiving (and Christmas, etc). Many do go on observing holidays with their loved ones because they're supposed to, even in the midst of turmoil. How many of us have pretended everything is OK while we sit down to a holiday mean with our families, when of course there are unresolved conflicts between some or all of us?

Interestingly, the Apostle Paul speaks to this very issue, in his letter to the Romans. In Romans 1:18-21 he says,

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. [...] So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened (emphasis added).

Scripture seems to tell us, then, that God's wrath is revealed in this world, against those who fail to give thanks to God. Thanks for what? The text seems to imply thanksgiving for everything. God is the giver and sustainer of every blessing, and even when God takes away blessing, we have Him (which means we actually still have everything). Our miseries and troubles, Scripture seems to tell us, come because we don't actually give thanks to Whom it is due, which is especially clear in the lives of those who don't believe the Gospel.

So Thanksgiving, then, is a great time to be together as family, for the purpose of giving thanks to God for how richly He blesses us. We absolutely have reason for an attitude of thankfulness. And even if our lives are fraught with trouble, we can give thanks if we know God, because in His presence is "fullness of joy," and at His right hand "are pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11).