“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched–this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.” – 1 John 1:1-4
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and food – and football, since the Packers play on Thanksgiving this year. When we sit down to eat with those we love, we remember the blessings we have experienced throughout the year. The meal and the people proclaim God’s abundance in our lives. Not unlike those who shared the first Thanksgiving meal, we celebrate life and fellowship.
In the passage from 1 John, we are reminded that we haven’t just heard about God but that our eyes have seen and our hands have touched the truth of Jesus. The Word of life is not just stories we have read, but have been made real to us through the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If John was going to send us an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner, I think this would be it!
As you plan your Thanksgiving celebration this year, I encourage you to take time to remember how you have heard, seen and been touched by the love of Jesus over the last year. Whether you are eating alone or in a large group, may you know the fellowship of sharing not only this meal, but also the Supper we share together on the first Sunday of each month. May your Thanksgiving celebrations be a celebration of life and fellowship made complete by the joy we have in Jesus.
Pastor Michelle