Colossians 3:15b-17 – Be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NIV)

One of the greatest things about celebrating Thanksgiving is the singing of long-time favourite hymns that keep coming back to us, hymns with words like: "Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things has done, in whom His world rejoices." With thanks comes praise, praise for beauty and love: "For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies, Lord of all to Thee we raise, this our sacrifice of praise." And more: "Now thank the Lord, we thank the Lord for all his love."

Thankfulness for God's love yields more praises like, "Come, let us all unite and sing, God is love; God is love. O tell to earth's remotest bound, in Christ is full redemption found; His blood can cleanse our sins away; His Spirit turns our night to day, and leads our soul with joy to say, 'God is love; God is love.' He will be with us all the way; God is love; God is love." "Come, let us sing of a wonderful love, tender and true, tender and true; out of the heart of the Father above, streaming to me and to you."

And for children too: "Can a little child like me thank the Father fittingly? Yes, oh yes, be good and true, patient, kind, in all you do; love the Lord, and do your part; learn to say with all your heart, 'Father, we thank Thee, Father, we thank Thee, Father in heaven, we thank Thee.'" Yes, how fitting and necessary are these words for us older folks too! So, "Sing them over again to me." "Come, ye thankful people, come."

Come with even more uplifting praise: "Morning has broken, like the first morning. Praise for the singing, praise for the morning; praise for them springing fresh from the Word. Praise every morning God's recreation of the new day."

On Thanksgiving Day, with reverence and awe, we can certainly say with the psalmist, "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24 ESV)

Prayer: Dear God, You have given us so much to be thankful for: Your love in Your self-giving Son Jesus Christ, Your presence in Your Spirit, Your Word in the Bible, Your free salvation that requires of us only faith, and that, too, is a gift from You. So we give thanks to You for You are good; Your love endures forever" (from Psalm 107:1). Thanks for songwriters. Thank You for Your eternal promise of heaven. We dedicate to You a thankful heart. Use it, Lord, that others may know. May we be thankful day by day. Amen.

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