How Long Does Your Family Thanksgiving Last?

© 2018 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

In 1621, Plymouth colonists joined with local Indians in what is often considered the first thanksgiving celebration on this continent.  In 1789, President George Washington proclaimed Thursday, the 26th of November, a day of “public thanksgiving and prayer …”.  Over the years various U.S. Presidents have established various dates for the celebration.  On October 6, 1941, President Roosevelt signed a joint resolution of Congress.  It established our current practice of celebrating Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of each November.

Thanksgiving Day has been a time during which many enjoy being with their families and expressing thankfulness for them.  However, as the years march relentlessly on, fewer family members remain available for such gatherings.  All members of those families which gathered for thanksgiving in 1621 have passed on.  Many of those with whom Kathy and I have joyfully celebrated past Thanksgivings are no longer here.

However, we have an eternal family which shall never cease to exist.  Our eternal thanksgiving with members of this family shall never cease.  This is the family of those who have been redeemed through faith in Christ Jesus, the Savior.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13).

God the Son came to earth to be born of a virgin.  Though eternal, He shed His blood, in a cruel death, to pay sin’s penalty for His people.  When He rose from the dead, He became what Scripture calls “the firstborn among many brethren.”

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29)

This, then, is the eternal family to which Kathy and I belong, by grace, through faith in our loving Lord.  We anticipate an eternal celebration of thanksgiving with them.  It shall surpass all previous celebrations and include all members of our eternal family who have gone before us.

One day, all of your Thanksgiving celebrations in this life will end.  Will you then gather with our eternal family, in an eternal celebration, with Jesus Christ our risen Lord and Savior?

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