There is a rule—maybe even a law—enforced by unseen, unnamed powers that says that one should not decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving.¹

I know, I know, many good men have broken this law and gotten away with it. Maybe even you. But it is a law engraved on my heart and enforced by my conscience if nothing else.  And those are the laws I tend to follow…no matter who decreed them.

So…that’s why I feel compelled to write a full confession. You see, this year, due to travel plans, I must decorate now or never.  I am going to do my best to convince you 1) not to follow my bad example; and 2) that I have, in fact, celebrated Thanksgiving in my heart and home before I so much as opened a red plastic tub.

So here I go…one small way I will express my gratitude. Because I’m a very thankful girl. And this year–of all years–has beautifully displayed the resounding kindness of God.

Those who know me from afar might say, of course she would say that. In 2024, she got married to a wonderful, godly man after a (nearly) 43-year wait. She lives in a beautiful place. She has everything she needs. She’s gotten to travel around the world. She has two beautiful, miracle-gifted girls. She is healthy. She has friends.

And you would be right.

Those who know me up close may recognize that this has been a year of intense pruning. Painful refining. Some of my securities and comforts were taken away. Some of my identity and areas of control were exchanged. Some friendships have been strained.  Some routines have disappeared.  God has exposed ugly layers of pride, selfishness, and impatience.

It’s been a tough year.

But again and again through it all, as my own sinfulness was made plain and acknowledged, it’s been forgiven by a tremendously merciful God who keeps pointing me back to the gospel.

That’s why I’m so thankful.

God’s abundant kindness toward sinners is always on display. But sometimes, we choose not to see it. Perhaps not intentionally.  We are just too busy or too blinded by our own self-righteousness.  In our pride, we get to thinking we are living the life we deserve or something less…when, if fact, it is much more…abundantly more.

I see God’s goodness through tears and changes this year.  God has patiently humbled me.  I value relationships more and I care about routine less. I hold stuff—all those things—in a more open hand knowing it isn’t mine. None of it is mine. I see my own sinfulness more clearly and His grace and mercy more abundantly. Our all-knowing, all sufficient God who lends us life for a season gives us more and better than our wicked hearts deserve. 

That’s why I can say, with a thankful heart, God, You’re so good.

Finally, I feel it’s important not to run over Thanksgiving not only because my heart compels it but because Scripture commands it (not the holiday, but the concept!). The book of Psalms alone tells us to give thanks 37 times. Apostle Paul commands it in his writings another 40 times. Jesus is recorded giving thanks to the Father seven times.

Paul describes depraved sinners in one of the most sobering passages, Romans 1, listing unthankfulness together with the sin of idolatry and leading to God “giving them over.”  It’s a terrible thing to be given over to a reprobate mind.

So for this reason, I like to stop and give Thanksgiving space and time in our home and our year—before we hang lights, wreaths, and stockings. Well, that and the belief that the Thanksgiving police are going to get me and lock me up for good. Still feels a little wrong. I did tell myself I would simplify this year…but alas…two wrongs don’t make a right.

Psalm 107:1-3 (ESV) – Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!

1. It follows, of course, that you one should not listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving…but I’m not going to bring that up…I’m not really looking for a fight. ↩︎