The Thanksgiving Before Thanksgiving
- Gary Ritchie
- Nov 26, 2025
- 2 min read
This Sunday our church will celebrate the ultimate and Great Thanksgiving, Holy Communion. In just a couple of days, families will join together, coming from near and far, to enjoy a meal together. They will celebrate God’s many gifts: family, health, prosperity, salvation, and so much more. Many will gather around the table and offer thanks to God for his abundant gifts. Others will rush pass a moment of thanksgiving and proceed to the meal. I love to celebrate Communion around Thanksgiving. As most of us are already reflective of our many blessings, it is appropriate to slow down for a few minutes and think about the most precious gift God gave to us – salvation. Communion brings us to remember the tremendous love that God has for us as he gave his one and only son to save us. Communion causes us to celebrate Jesus – that he overcome death, Hell, and the grave and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. It truly is the Great Thanksgiving.
Communion and Thanksgiving share another attribute. All of the family of God are invited to come to the table. All have been invited and no one is excluded. Jesus died for all of us. He chose us before time began. The adoption papers have already been signed in blood. We simply have to accept the free gift of salvation. When we say yes to Jesus, we are immediately adopted into the family. By doing so, we are invited to the Thanksgiving and Communion table. Praise be to God!
When I think of the title The Great Thanksgiving, my mind goes to Charlie Brown; a television special from many years ago celebrating Thanksgiving. Charlie Brown is like so many of us. We are flawed in so many ways and continually mess things up or find ourselves on the losing end. But everyone is always cheering for Charlie Brown. He may get knocked down, but he always gets up, takes it on the chin, and keeps fighting the good fight. I imagine that followers of Jesus have an Angel Army that are continually cheering them on.
As we consider the Great Thanksgiving, may I plant a seed. As families gather around the table, take a moment before the turkey or ham is served, to share in family communion. Pass around a roll and invite each family member to tear off a piece. Then pour a small cup of juice or pass one around the table. Before even beginning the family meal, celebrate the Great Thanksgiving. I assure you, this will deepen your thankfulness and draw your family closer together. It may even plant a seed to a wayward son or daughter. The thought itself brings a beautiful picture of a family affair that is completely God-centered. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!
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