Isn't it a little early for that? Or is it just in time?
What happened to Thanksgiving? That lovely holiday tucked between Halloween and Christmas.
It seemed that even before the last trick-or-treater had walked down the driveway, every one of my mailboxes was filled with Christmas ads. No mention about Thanksgiving anywhere to be found unless of course it’s something about food and recipes!
When it comes down to the economics of holidays, meaning when it comes down to what we buy (or sell), let’s face it - Thanksgiving is primarily about food. It is meant to be a time to bring everyone together in a celebration of our common good. But all of that traditionally takes place at a dinner table, even if it’s virtual! There isn’t much to buy.
I’ve decided that in the end, it comes to down to perspective. This year I’m inclined to think that rather than being too early, perhaps in reality, all the messages about Christmas are just in time. It’s good to have something to plan and look forward to. It’s good to dream a bit about the possibilities of the season – even if the specific holiday we each celebrate may be different in terms of our faith – it is still an extraordinary mark in time and opportunity to bring the best of us to all of us.
And the music – well the music can never come too soon!
We can also take advantage of all the reminders of Christmas to let Thanksgiving kick off the season in special ways. Why not ask everyone to bring an ornament to exchange? It can be one you’ve used, something you or your children have made, or anything that would have special meaning. It’s a reminder of the love of friends and family we carry forward from the season of gratitude into the season of love.
As for what’s happened to Thanksgiving – the good news is that for many of us, gratitude is becoming less about a holiday and more about a state of being. Even social media is paying attention. Thirty days of gratitude challenges abound. And they aren’t just happening in November which is a wonderful and extended expression of our common good.
Thanksgiving isn’t lost. To the contrary, it is finding us every day.
