A Protestant Holiday

A few years ago I had the privilege of going to Israel and visiting some of the major sites in Jerusalem. We visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where were whisked past the probable location of our Lord's empty tomb, surrounded by the trappings of Romanism and the idolatry of secularism. We then hopped on the bus and went to the "garden tomb," the quiet and pleasant location of an ancient sepulchre frequented primarily by Protestants--Protestants who know that this is not the place where our Lord's body was laid, but like to imagine that it is. It was a good place to reflect on the goodness and special grace of God.

That's what I like about Thanksgiving. I know that Christmas and Easter are rightly regarded as the two major Christian holidays. Unfortunately, they've been so corrupted by idolatry and secularism that they scarcely feel like Christian holidays at all.

But Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving has been largely ignored by the secularists, and I'm glad for that. Of course, like the garden tomb, the biblical precedent for the Thanksgiving holiday is meager. It's precedent instead is a historical gathering of humble Protestant believers intent on worshiping God despite the horrific cost. A group who determined that a day ought be set aside to reflect quietly and graphically on the common grace of God. I trust that this will be your experience this year.


       Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
         Praise him all creatures here below.
       Praise him above ye heavenly host
         Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.