I love the word holiday. Just the thought of celebrating is something that I look forward to. The word comes from holy, plus day (a holy day).
1. It can be a day set aside for special religious observance
2. A day of freedom from work; especially one in commemoration of an event
3. A vacation
I am so glad that God loves holidays. He not only asked His people to observe His feast and festivals, but He planned the greatest holiday ever. It was "out of this world!" The holiday originated in heaven.
God planned two trips for His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The first trip happened in very humble surroundings - a feed trough (open box for livestock feed) for the Savior's baby bed. Our Lord Jesus chose to lay down His royal robes for a season and allowed Himself to be wrapped in long strips of cloth (swaddling cloth for infants). We can easily see that a joyful Christmas holiday can be maintained by the lowly in heart (those who will humbly love and serve others).
The second trip that Christ will make will be the holiday of all holidays! (Talk about taking a break, celebrating with friends and family, dining in elegance...) The Second Coming of Christ will be a time that you will never forget. Put it on your calendar. You can make a reservation by placing your trust in the gift of Christ. He is worthy of our celebration and praise.
HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE GIFT? I ask you to search your heart. Have you received the gift of eternal life by asking God to forgive your sin and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart? “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Pray the prayer below to ask Jesus into your heart. He is the perfect gift just for you!
God, I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son and that He died on a cross for my sins and has been raised from the dead. God forgive my sins, wash me in the blood of Jesus. Jesus, come and live inside of my heart. I believe that I am now saved and made new as I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and Master of my life.
Psalm 103
1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time of the year. Do I enjoy all the good food and especially the desserts? Yes, I really do! I would also like to think that I am blessed by focusing on the goodness of God.
In past years, when my mother and dad came to visit for Thanksgiving, I always asked Dad to share thoughts about the Lord. He loved to read from Psalm 100:4-5, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations."
What is thanksgiving to God? It is gratitude - a grateful language to God. It is an act of worship. Strong's concordance states that thanksgiving can be an extension of the hand in adoration. It can also be a choir of worshippers, a sacrifice of praise, or an offering. I love our American holiday!