Come Ye Thankful People Come...

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Tables have been set, gathered
around and cleared. Leftovers have been packed away,
and we rest... briefly.

All too soon, the hustle of the Christmas Season will be upon us.
Already, I see signs ofwhat is to come.  Just turning the page of
my calendar to December, and I feel the intensity of the upcoming
holiday season.  The malls are decorated, trees are decorated in my
neighborhood.  The greatest shopping adventure is about to begin.
(Pardon me as I roll my eyes!)

Yes, I am sure in the next day or so, my Christmas tree will be up
as well, but before I turn that corner into the blur that is December,
I want to take a moment to reflect on what gifts I already have.

The songs of Thanksgiving that stir within me, are those of my youth.
The New England hymns of my childhood.  "Come, ye thankful people
come".  We sang.  "All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms
begin".

I thank You for the abundance in my life - the Joy, the Grace,
the Laughter, the Hope.  I also thank You for the winter - the time of
rest - and for thestorms - where I search out Your shelter.

My needs have always been provided.  You have always been faithful.
Today, I see that.

I am thankful.... hear my song.



"Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home;
all is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
for our wants to be supplied;
come to God's own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home."