Come, All Ye Thankful

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever (Psalm 107:1).

When I was a child, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed long. Not anymore. The two holidays come back to back, running into each other. But then that's appropriate, isn't it? I'm certainly thankful for the meaning behind Christmas, for a Savior coming to earth to save me. We should all be thankful more often. True thankfulness dispels negative emotions and leaves us with a positive, joyful disposition. It makes us happy.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

One of the hymns we sing at Christmas begins, "O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant." What if only those who are thankful and joyful could come? How many Christians would be there? Since we have Jesus and forgiveness, we have so much to be thankful for. We should show that in the joyous way we meet and greet those around us. As this holiday season begins, let's spread joy and cheer wherever we go because we truly have a thankful heart, and let's make it last the whole year through.

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