A Daily Dose of Good News

Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020 

Pastor Steve’s devotion is https://youtu.be/6kCrYwJEU6Y
A printer-friendly version of this devotion is available at DDGN 20201126

 

Be Thankful

While generally each Daily Dose of Good News over the last 8 months
Has been based on one of the daily Bible verses that are appointed for every day of the year
For common use among all Christian churches that follow the liturgical church year,
This passage was echoing my soul as I woke on
What promises to be a Thanksgiving Day like no other.

Reading from Colossians 3:12-17

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.  Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I pray the unique and even challenging circumstances
That are having such an impact on your Thanksgiving celebrations today
Might also help demonstrate the profound value in life
For giving thanks to God the Father
When doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Appreciating even more keenly all the aromas and tastes you may enjoy today,
While at the same time praying for those infected with the coronavirus
And perhaps unable to smell or taste at all right now.

Disrupting traditional Thanksgiving plans and extended family reunions
Not only to keep yourselves healthy and safe, but the wider community too,
By helping to limit the spread of the virus as a gesture of gratitude for the medical workers
Who are sacrificing so much in their care for those who are sick.

And being thankful for family and friendships so beloved
That the passions of affection and disagreement abide together in love.

All things considered, today is yet another day worthy of our thanks.
Thanks to God the Father for the life we share and the world where we share it together.
Thanks to God the Son for reconciling us to the presence of God in every event of life & beyond.
Thanks to God the Spirit who enlivens our faith and draws us together in love and service.

Friends in Christ,
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.
And be thankful.
Amen.