Bob Cornwall/Faith in the Public Square

The fourth Thursday of November is set aside as a national day of Thanksgiving. An expression of our national civil religion, which sees the nation as the beneficiary of divine providence, it's celebrated in the fashion of long forgotten harvest festivals. In the course of our festivities, we'll give thanks to the divine for the year's harvest, though few of us grow our own food. We'll also remember our national myths - the stories of past events that have shaped us as a people. Few stories carry the same power for us as the survival of those hardy settlers at Plymouth Plantation. We know them as the Pilgrims and in our national story the Pilgrims stand as the harbingers of religious freedom and fortitude in the face of adversity.

The story of the Pilgrims has been greatly embellished, for these religious refugees weren't really interested in tolerating or respecting other religious viewpoints. But this mythical sense of national beginnings performs an important service for us. The mythical elements of the story, such as the idea of religious freedom and the opportunity to start life afresh, offer us hope in difficult times. The story of their feast serves as call to celebrate our common blessings.

Giving thanks, however, should be more than an annual event, accompanied by a big dinner and football games. Jimmy Carter spoke of the importance of giving thanks daily for friends and family, the helping hand of another, expressions of love given by children and grandchildren, satisfying jobs, beautiful skies, and just “when we have any kind of exciting experience.” Being a devout Christian, Carter suggests that “All of these are opportunities to give God the credit and acknowledge God's greatness.” (Sources of Strength, 1997)

There is, also, value in joining together in a national day of thanksgiving. As a nation, we've been blessed in many ways, but whatever blessings come our way come to us as part of our common inheritance. Our original Thanksgiving story has within it a message of sharing the bounty and of our mutual dependence.

As a national feast, Thanksgiving has a religious dimension; whatever our religious convictions, it's important that we give thanks. As a Christian, I'm reminded of God's benevolence, and I'm humbled by God's steadfastness. But whenever I begin to think that I might be “special” in God's sight, I need to remember the biblical statement that God sends the rain on the just and the unjust. These blessings aren't a reward for my own righteousness; they're simply a gift poured out upon all of creation.

When it comes to giving thanks, it's easier to do so when times are good, when the world is at peace and justice prevails, when freedom is shared by all, and when everyone has enough to eat. The true test of Thanksgiving comes during difficult times. As we survey the world today, we observe the presence in our midst of war, famine, genocide, drought, conflict. The worst of these problems may not exist within our national boundaries, but surely they exist in this world we share. How then can we, not just as Americans, but as world citizens, give thanks this Thanksgiving Day?

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Ultimately we give thanks, not because of material blessings, but because of our shared humanity. Thanksgiving is about the blessings of community, which include family, friends, and support networks of every kind. When life seems dull or overwhelming, it's our communities that give us hope. Now I believe that community is a divine gift, and while I know that not everyone chooses to participate in religious institutions, community is at the heart of who we are as human beings created in the image of God. And it will be in community that we'll celebrate this national feast day. As we gather in homes, restaurants, and at various community sponsored dinners, such as those being offered by the Community Kitchen and the Masons, we have the opportunity to offer up thanks.

Thanksgiving Day is more than that oft-used moniker - Turkey Day - would suggest. It may be a day full of parades, football games, and a lot of food, but as the story of the first Thanksgiving reminds us - despite the embellishments - it is good to give thanks with grateful hearts.

Dr. Bob Cornwall is Pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lompoc (www.lompocdisciples.org). He can be contacted at lompocdisciples@impulse.net or First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1056, Lompoc, CA 93438.

Nov. 19, 2006