“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.”
(Isaiah 12:4-5 NIV)
It is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. Most people think that Thanksgiving in North America is celebrated at the end of November, not realizing that Canada and the United States do not celebrate Thanksgiving at the same time. The reason Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving six weeks earlier than in the United States is that Thanksgiving is supposed to be a celebration for the end of the harvest season. Well, perhaps they are still harvesting in the United States in mid-November, but we certainly aren’t in Canada! Being much farther North, our winters set in much earlier, shortening our growing season and bringing our Thanksgiving celebrations forward to mid-October.
If you live near the border as my wife and I do, and if you work at it just right, you might be able to work in two Thanksgiving celebrations in each year: One in Canada in mid-October, and one in the United States in late November. We have always thought that those who live in the United States get into Thanksgiving more than Canadians do; however with current emphasis on Black Friday sales in the United States, I fear that even in the United States Thanksgiving is beginning to be more about a long weekend with lots of chances to find good sales before Christmas!
By my way of thinking, my wife got Thanksgiving right last year.
September found her in China. Her reason for traveling there, other than to see our son and daughter-in-law who currently reside in Southern China, was to participate in the celebration of their marriage Chinese-style. I would have loved to join her, but my battle with dementia prohibited me. Imagine her delight, however, to learn that three days before the wedding celebration was what is known in China as Mid-Autumn festival: A time to gather as a family to celebrate harvest and to express gratitude. Basically, it’s Thanksgiving!
The second weekend of October came, and she celebrated thanksgiving with me in my new home, and then she and two of our kids went out for a special Thanksgiving dinner hosted at a local restaurant. The following day, on the Monday, which is a holiday in Canada, she invited some friends from China and they celebrated yet another Thanksgiving, this time with Chinese food instead of the traditional turkey and stuffing.
When the last week of November arrived, she hopped in the car and drove south to her brother’s home in the United States to celebrate USA Thanksgiving with her brother and his family!
I’ve been telling people she celebrate three Thanksgivings, but it is really four!
Yes, she got it right. You see, you can’t be thankful enough. No matter how much time we devote to praising God and giving Him thanks for every one of His gifts, there is no way to even comprehend the vast majority of His blessings that He pours out on us daily. Why not celebrate Thanksgiving four times? Why not celebrate Thanksgiving EVERY DAY! Okay, maybe we’d get tired of turkey dinners, but we would never run out of things to be thankful for!
No matter where you find yourself in the world, remember that it is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, and spend some extra time giving God thanks. But don’t reserve that only for this weekend! Do it daily! You’ll be amazed at how your eyes begin to open to His wonderous blessings!
Inspired by Rob Chaffart
Founder, Answers2Prayer Ministries