Happy Thanksgiving!
When I received the weekly newsletter from Devin Crawley, I was struck by the image he used to encourage donations for Thanksgiving decorations—a beautiful arrangement around a baptism font that was dedicated to the Glory of God and has been in use since July 22, 1913. This got me thinking about the connection between baptism and Thanksgiving.
Baptism symbolizes rebirth and, for each of us, marks the beginning of a life lived in faith in Christ, the first step in response to God’s endless love and mercy. During our baptism, promises were made to God on our behalf, which we as adults now embrace, to “endeavour to keep God’s holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of your life?” When we remember that everything we have, all the blessings bestowed upon us, are received through the power of God, as heirs of his Kingdom and through partaking in the death and resurrection of Christ through the waters of baptism, are we moved to gratitude?
If we embrace this truth, we can cultivate a spirit of gratitude, regardless of our circumstances. Even in times of trial, we can find reasons to give thanks—for the strength to persevere, for the lessons learned, and for the community of faith that uplifts us.
At the last clergy conference, our speaker shared that in his former parish, he would call upon parishioners to make donations for Thanksgiving, but only a few would respond. After praying about it, he spoke with a retired priest, who pointed out that it is not that people lack reasons to be thankful, but rather that no one has taught them the importance of gratitude—and that this should connect back to the baptismal covenant. Indeed, if we have died with Christ in the waters of baptism and risen with him, our lives should be marked by thanksgiving—not just practiced one day a year, but every day.
This Thanksgiving, may we open our hearts to appreciate God’s blessings and embrace a deeper sense of thankfulness that transcends the superficial.
Each day, I give thanks to God for your ministry and financial support of God’s work at St. Barnabas. Above all, I give thanks to God for your choice to visit our website and connect with St. Barnabas.
Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving filled with love, joy, and a renewed commitment to gratitude.
Let us pray,
“O most merciful Father, we humbly thank thee for all thy gifts so freely bestowed upon us; for life and health and safety, for power to work and leisure to rest, for all that is beautiful in creation and in the lives of all people; but above all we thank thee for a spiritual mercies in Christ Jesus our Lord; who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God for ever and ever. Amen.” Book of Common Prayer, page 307
Yours in Christ,
The Reverend Canon George Kwari.