Thanksgiving: 28 November 2024

So just a little light humor before we get serious:

A man named John received a parrot, named CHIEF, as a gift.

The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird’s mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity.

John tried to change the bird’s attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to clean up the birds vocabulary and soften its spirit.

Finally, John was fed up and yelled at the parrot. And the parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and it only got angrier and even ruder.

John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the parrot and put him in the freezer.

For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly - there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for more than a minute.

Thinking that the parrot was hurt, John quickly opened the door to the freezer.

The parrot calmly stepped out onto John’s outstretched arm and said, “I’m certain I have offended you with my rude language and actions. I’m sincerely sorry for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior.”

John was stunned at the change in the bird’s attitude. So he asked the parrot, “how did this remarkable change in you come about.”

“Pretty simple.” Said the parrot. “I sure did not want to end up like that turkey in the freezer.”

For we Americans, the term “Thanksgiving” conjures up images of turkey and cranberry sauce, parades and football games. These traditions have come to mark an event made a perpetual institution of American life by President Abraham Lincoln’s decree of 1863 - in the midst of the Civil War.

But why did Lincoln proclaim the last Thursday in November as a national holiday?

Because it was clear to him that the blessings of food, land, family, and freedom enjoyed by Americans are all gifts from the Creator. But Americans, he realized, had forgotten this. >

A special day was needed for us to forget our differences and remember our blessings. And from remembering naturally flows giving thanks to the Source of those blessings.

And so we do that to this day. We gather with family and friends to remember our blessings. And from remembering naturally flows giving thanks to God - the source of those blessings.

But true thanksgiving is not just a matter of words and warm sentiments. Gratitude for a gift means offering a gift in return. So as we give thanks today - let us also ask ourselves what we are going to give God in return for all the blessings continued to be showered down upon us.

Which makes today the perfect day to pre-plan our Christmas giving. Not only what we will give to each other – but also what we will give to the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, the hungry and the lonely.

For when we do these things for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do them for the Lord.

Happy Thanksgiving!