More than 200 years ago, Matthias Claudius wrote a harvest song that is still sung today. The chorus says: “All good gifts around us are sent from heav’n above; then thank the Lord…”
Is it even possible to make such a statement publicly today? In our time, it seems as though anything is possible. State-of-the-art technology and agricultural science ensure the highest quality and quantity. Should the harvest ever turn out poorly, global economic ties ensure that we won’t suffer any shortages. Whether God’s blessing still plays a role is a matter of doubt for many people. What we once expected from God, we now do ourselves. Growth processes are explainable, and they can be activated or inhibited almost at will. There seems to be little room left for God.
Does Thanksgiving still have any meaning in this context? It is not merely about preserving a farming tradition. Thanksgiving is meant to instill in us a proper attitude toward the gifts that ripen in the fields and greenhouses, and to renew our relationship with the Creator of all good gifts. For it is simply not true that everything is possible. We may speak of agricultural products and producers, but fundamentally, these are gifts that God causes to grow. When there is still enough edible food to harvest on this earth, it is thanks to God’s faithfulness and love.
Every good gift comes from God the Lord. That is what Thanksgiving is meant to remind us of. Anyone who focuses solely on the gifts and fails to pay attention to the Giver misses the point. Through His gifts, God wants to make it clear to us that He loves us. If we claim that the gifts are merely the products of our own efforts, we are mistaken and lose sight of them as signs of God’s goodness.
Anyone who thinks seriously about it realizes that having enough food is not something to be taken for granted. Every day, a large number of people die because they lack the bare necessities of life. Starvation continues to claim an alarmingly high number of victims. Christians have always remembered their responsibility toward those in need on Thanksgiving Day.
Naturally, there are also things we wish for that have not come to pass. Here and there we feel something is lacking, but on the whole, we’re doing quite well. Many people are worse off than we are. Usually, we do not give this much thought, because we’ve grown accustomed to the good things in life and take them for granted. However, once we realize that having enough food is not something to be taken for granted we cannot help but feel grateful. Gratitude is a good attitude toward life. When we give thanks, we become aware of all that we have received.
Gratitude offers a new perspective. Daily life takes on a new luster, and we learn to appreciate things anew. Ingratitude makes life miserable. Dissatisfaction spreads. The joy of life is lost. We must not allow this to happen. The only way out of the downward spiral of dissatisfaction is gratitude. God does not depend on our thanks, but giving thanks is important for our own sake.
Let us therefore celebrate Thanksgiving very consciously. It clarifies our relationship with God, the Giver of all good gifts. It reminds us of those who are waiting for our help. And it helps us cultivate a joyful outlook on life.
Hans Greiff
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