I’m Thankful for Jesus

Today we are just one week away from Thanksgiving. Many of us will be gathering with family and friends to celebrate the holiday. Many of us will face a different Thanksgiving celebration than in years past–whether that is related to COVID or something else that has taken place within this year. There is no denying it has been a challenging year.

I’ve had a strange (to me) desire to decorate for Christmas early this year. I have never decorated before Thanksgiving whether out of protest of the commercialization of the birth of my Savior or simply because I’m not big into decorating, I can’t really say for sure. It is just something I’ve never done.

As I scroll my social media feed, I can see that I’m not alone in this desire for a little Christmas joy. It seems that many who do not typically decorate before Thanksgiving are beginning to decorate their homes. I’m sure it has to do with the world longing for joy and PEACE in the midst of this difficult time.

I’ve also been reading through Isaiah and Jeremiah in the last couple weeks. The prophecies are filled with promises of coming destruction and judgment, BUT in the midst of that there is the promise of the Messiah. The promise of our coming Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 7:14 – Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Isaiah 9:6 – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

We don’t just find promises of the birth of Christ. We also find promises of the ultimate sacrifice that He would pay for our sins–yours and mine–in Isaiah 53. That sacrifice would ultimately make THE way for us to have salvation when we acknowledge our sinful nature and accept the free gift that has been offered to us.

As I’ve considered all of this, I can say that at the top of my “Thanksgiving List” would be Jesus. In the midst of the current events, the uncertainty surrounding our future, I’m thankful that I have hope in Jesus Christ. The things of this world can be discouraging and frustrating at times, but I still have Jesus. He is my Stability. He is my Rock. He is my Fortress. He is my Defence (Oh, yeah, my reading in Psalms wasn’t too long ago either :-)). The list could go on…and on.

So here’s what I’ve settled on…it’s okay to decorate for Christmas in the midst of the Thanksgiving season if it reminds you to be thankful for Jesus. 🙂

What do you think?

P.S. I started with my table and I’m enjoying it! 🙂