Thanksgiving Day is a distinctive United States holiday. It doesn’t commemorate a battle or anyone’s birthday or anniversary; it is simply a day set aside to express our nations thanks to our nation’s God. In 1789, President George Washington made this statement in regard to the celebration of Thanksgiving: “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”

Once again our nation pauses to give thanks. One would assume that because of the example of our forefathers, and because we have so much today, that we would be an extremely thankful people. If any nation ought to be thankful to God and grateful for His goodness, it ought to America. If any people in America ought to be thankful to God and grateful for His goodness, it ought to be Christians.

Unfortunately, it is often the opposite. The more we get, the less thankful we become, the less mindful of God we become, and the more we want.

Raymond F. Culpepper
General Overseer

This article was taken from The Evangel November 2009 issue and is the first article in a series on being thankful during the holiday season.

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© 2009 Church of God World Missions