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“Hence, because everything we possess, and everything in heaven and on earth besides, is daily given, sustained, and protected by God, it inevitably follows that we are in duty bound to love, praise, and thank him without ceasing, and, in short, to devote all these things to his service, as he has required and enjoined in the Ten Commandments.” (Martin  Luther, Large Catechism)

One of the most prominent holidays in the United States is Thanksgiving. While this celebration is not a church liturgical feast day, it is a national holiday in which we are entreated to give thanks to God  or all of God’s blessings. It follows a long line of tradition, from the Old Testament through the life of the church to the present day to set aside days of thanksgiving which traditionally are called “feast days.” Of course, there also are days and seasons set aside for fasting, but that is a different matter. On Thanksgiving, just as on the feast days of Christmas and Easter, we celebrate by giving thanks and by feasting. As Thanksgiving approaches this year, several days in the church year calendar might help us to examine reasons why we may give thanks to God.

For all the saints. All Saints Day, November 1, is a feast day set aside to remember and give thanks to God for those who have carried the faith down through the generations. As a way of celebrating this, we name saints who have been important in our lives and faith development. I have fond memories of the many people who have passed the faith on to me, many who are now part of the Church Triumphant. Without them, my faith, if it even existed, would lack so much texture and depth. We give thanks to God for the saints who have shared the faith with us.

Christ the King. On November 22 we will celebrate “Christ the King” Sunday. This is one of the newest feast days in the church year calendar, set to help us honor Jesus as the one who reigns over God’s created order. The Scripture for the day leads us to the cross, touching on themes of crucifixion and resurrection, showing us the lengths God will go to restore relationship with us and to give us the fullness of life God wishes us to have. We see Jesus as the one, sent from God, to restore God’s reign over all creation. We give thanks to God for Christ our King.

Advent. On November 29 we will enter into the season of Advent. It is my favorite season of the Church year because it holds the tension of already, but not yet. It is the season of hope and expectation, but also of faithfully living each day in the midst of promise. It is the season of real life. In this season we recognize that life is hard, that God’s promises speak to us, that we expect God to bring about these promises, and that we walk each day redeemed by what has been, what is and what will be. God isn’t finished, and God’s greatest answer is on the way. We give thanks to God for Advent.

While there are many things for which we can offer thanks, it is good for us not to miss those opportunities we have to be touched by God’s story, and to give thanks to God for these blessings.