Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I’ve heard that the pilgrims who originally observed Thanksgiving dug seven times more graves than they built huts, and yet they still felt compelled to return thanks to the Lord. Today, we are often the opposite of them, with so many blessings and very few true hardships. But we so often have an entitlement mentality and fail to see that we don’t deserve anything and that we should be grateful for every little thing. Thomas Mertan said, “To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us — and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.” (Thoughts on Solitude) And Psalm 9:1 says, “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”

Have a wonderful time with your family and whoever else you celebrate Thanksgiving with, then we can all start turning our hearts toward the manger because this Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent! We will start having the children’s Sunday School classes come forward and lead us in Scripture readings and lighting the Advent candles. We’ll also be slowly working our way into Christmas music. And the sermon series will be looking at Jesus and His connection to His “fathers”, Adam, David, Joseph, and God. See you Sunday, -Dave