Happy Thanksgiving from the Ichthus!

Cameron D. Kirk-Giannini — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:49:49 +0000

The Ichthus staff gives thanks for our brief Thanksgiving respite from classes and blogging! Now that the break has ended, and lest the tummy-aches, black Friday shopping, and extra sleep numb us to the blessings of God, I think it wise to remind ourselves of the purpose of this holiday.

George Washington pronounced the first Thanksgiving in 1789, declaring the day “to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” The intent was not merely to give thanks, but also to serve God. Gratefulness of heart would manifest itself not merely in words of gratitude, but also in action.

It is easy to forget that God is “the beneficent author of all the good.” In times of struggle, it is easy to get so focused on the challenges that lie ahead instead of remembering the small blessings that lie all around us. Therefore let us not forget!

Thank God for the bizarre and befuddling creature that is the turkey!

e.e. cummings:

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday;this is the birth
day of life and love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any-lifted from the no
of all nothing-human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

and R.W. Emerson:

For flowers that bloom about our feet;

For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;

For all things fair we hear or see,

Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

For blue of stream and blue of sky;

For pleasant shade of branches high;

For fragrant air and cooling breeze;

For beauty of the blooming trees,

Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

God has surely blessed us in countless ways. Let us take the time to thank Him for all He has done!

the harvard ichthus » Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from the Ichthus!