Thanksgiving

November is the month of Thanksgiving for two reasons: the first is celebrated on the 21st of the month when the Orthodox Church commemorates the Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple when, according to tradition, she was three years old; and the second is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month when our nation celebrates Thanksgiving Day.

What was the reason for giving thanks on the day when the Lord’s mother, the Theotokos, was presented in the Temple? Who was thankful, and what were they thankful for?

Although the account is not mentioned in the New Testament, but in a document known as the Proto-Evangelion of Saint James, we learn that it recalls the day that Mary’s mother and father, Joachim and Anna, brought her to the temple to dedicate her to God, and to thank God for blessing them with a child.

This was to fulfill a promise they made to God. Joachim and Anna were unable to conceive children, yet were both told by angels of God that their prayers were heard, and that they would be soon become parents. When Mary was three years old, she was brought to the temple to be consecrated to God.

Celebrated soon afterwards, (this year on Thursday, November 28) we come to the American religious holiday of Thanksgiving, celebrated each year on the fourth Thursday in November.

Having lost nearly half of their group the first year to the harshness of winter, and suffering from lack of food, the pilgrims set aside a day of feasting and prayer in thanks to God the following year for having survived with the help of native American Indians.

November is the Thanksgiving month for the Orthodox Christian Church and American society; a wonderful time for us to count our blessings, and to be thankful for all that God has given to us.

What is one very practical and helpful way to thank God for our blessings? To think about sharing with others, and to help others with needs greater than our own may not be the first thought that comes to mind, but is a wonderful way to let God know that we are thankful, enough so that we pass that love on to others.

That does require a bit of humility, doesn’t it? In our minds, we know that there are countless people – men, women and children – who are in need of basic necessities such as food and shelter. It is something else, though, to act on what we know; to put awareness and prayer into action. But this is the Christian response to God’s love; sharing it with others. It’s also such a wonderful way to thank God; to pass along His blessings.