Blessed Thanksgiving

by Rev. Mitch Hescox 

Alleluia, Alleluia 
Give thanks to the risen Lord 
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name 
 
Jesus is Lord of all the earth 
He is the King of creation 
 
Spread the good news o’er all the earth 
Jesus has died and has risen 
 
We have been crucified with Christ 
Now we shall live forever 
 
Come let us praise the living God 
Joyfully sing to our Savior

            -Donald Fischel 

Give thanks to the risen Lord … isn’t that Thanksgiving is all about.  We forget so easily that yes Jesus is Lord of all the earth.  He is the King of creation. The first North American Thanksgiving celebrated, at least the image, of different cultures working together and being dependent on the creation for physical life.  Our corporate Thanksgiving vision links Native Americans and new immigrants together caring for creation, working together sustainably and in a fashion living as one in God’s Kingdom. 

While our memory of Pilgrims and Native Americans working together may have become somewhat idealized, Thanksgiving represents a snapshot into Jesus’ proclamation, “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” Picture in your mind God’s blessings if:

• We worked for the common benefit of all;
• Respect and value given to new immigrants;
• We recognized all creatures as created by The Creator;
• The Earth was prized as a precious gift instead of a commodity;
• We truly denied ourselves, picked up our cross, and followed Jesus.

 What a blessed Thanksgiving!  Then all the earth – all creation would sing: 

Alleluia, Alleluia 
Give thanks to the risen Lord 
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name!

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