Today is Thanksgiving. And even though I myself am not an American, I want to take the opportunity to join my American friends (apparently, there are many of you reading this) in celebrating this memorable occaision.

In Canada, Thanksgiving is not as big of a deal as it is in the States. In my family, we don’t usually do anything big or extravagant; we don’t cherish this opportunity much for getting together extended family for a big feast of Turkey. This past Canadian Thanksgiving, I don’t remember what we did, so it seems we didn’t do much. Hopefully in the future, my family could start a tradition, just to go around the table a few times to share about things we are thankful for.

Nevertheless, Scripture gives us many examples of Biblical thanksgiving:

Thank the LORD God of Israel through all eternity!
Amen and amen! (Ps. 41:13)

I will always thank you, God, for what you have done;
in the presence of your people
I will proclaim that you are good. (Ps. 52:9)

Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving;
go into its courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise him. (Ps. 100:4)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Cor. 15:57)

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Cor. 9:15)

Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. (Phil. 4:6)

Over at girl talk, the ladies suggest 3 important ways to prepare to glorify God this Thanksgiving Holiday: Prepare for People, Prepare for Memories, and Prepare for Gratefulness.

So wherever you are, American or not, today is as good as any day to give thanks: to express gratefulness to God for the many evidences of grace we have experienced this past year, and most of all, for the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son for our sins. May the overwhelming gratitude for the cross of Jesus Christ be the distinguishing mark of our Thanksgiving Day, and every day throughout the year.

Happy Thanksgiving!