While I was cleaning up fallen limbs in the front yard, Eric, a third-grader in the neighborhood, told me about his upcoming turkey feast on Thanksgiving. We discussed things he had learned about the holiday and after his explanation he asked me two questions: "What does God do on Thanksgiving?" and "Does God give thanks?" My first response to the latter was a question: "Who would he thank and for what?" When a family member came looking for Eric, I was spared any more hard questions.

After returning indoors I realized that I had not answered Eric's questions and that he never forgets anything but his homework.

Among other things, on Thanksgiving (and all other days) God does good through people. He equips us individually and collectively to feed his hungry, clothe his naked, defend his defenseless, comfort his mourning, heal his sick, spread his good news, nourish his planet and give his people tangible reasons to give thanks.

The simple answer to the second question is "yes". We have many New Testament examples of Jesus giving thanks:

Matthew: he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowd.

Matthew: And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you."

Mark: And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd.

Mark: And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.

Luke: And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, "Take this, and divide it among yourselves."

Luke: And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

John: Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.

John: However, boats from Tiberias came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.

Many would possibly say that Jesus was only in his "Son" identity when he prayed to the Father so let's consider words used as synonyms for "thank", "thanks" and "thanksgiving". Among them are: "praise", "gratitude", "bless", "acknowledge", "appreciate", "credit" and "recognize".

If we consider "bless" or "recognize" we can give Eric's second question a definite answer.

God, the Father, gives blessings and recognition to us. He blesses us with each other and our daily bread. He recognizes us as valued family members through Jesus.

God, the Holy Spirit, blesses us with faith, love, knowledge and wisdom.

He blesses us, recognizes us and with that understanding, we can answer Eric's question:

Does God give thanks? Absolutely, and I look forward to giving Eric the good news.

--Webboss