The date is late November, but the “time” in the world around us is . . . pre-Christmas! What’s wrong with that? There is a risk that we can lose sight of one of the most important feasts and seasons of the year – Thanksgiving!
We don’t need to jump on the Christmas bandwagon. We can savor this time of transition, the time between seasons. WE can decide to be people of thanks today, rather than people who live in and for tomorrow. Right now, today, we can stop the frantic rush to prepare and celebrate the breather, the break between fall and “the holiday season.”
Why does this matter? We have lost the ability to live in the now. We have become a people who are so preoccupied with the next best thing that we neglect today’s blessings.
We don’t take time to catch our breath at the last of the brilliant leaves, the deep red of the pyracantha berries against the intense green of their foliage, the brilliant blue sky. We miss the chance to relax and be with loved ones right now, as if today is very special day. It IS.
We have only one chance to live today and relish the love that blesses us and enfolds all those dear to us. We may only have today to say “I love you.” Tomorrow will unfold with its own blessings but we can treat today as the holy day that it is and celebrate!
When Advent comes we will explore our waiting emptiness and take the time to expand our longing for our Savior’s birth. As our awareness of our need grows, so does the desire to find the fulfilment of Christmas. We will become a people who wait in joyful expectation.
Today, we give thanks.
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