Thanksgiving: Gratitude is Happiness Doubled by Wonder

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

–G.K. Chesterton

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This instrumental song is performed by an ensemble featuring Jay Ungar, the old-timey fiddler who composed the Ashokan Farewell song made famous in Ken Burn’s Civil War documentary. This whole album is a delight.


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Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.

–A.A. Milne

In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it’s wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.

–Elizabeth Gilbert

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Here’s a powerful, short essay on the Eucharist (’Thanksgiving’) and how to live together after a contentious election:
http://globalimmerse.org/after-the-elections-over-weve-got-work-to-do/

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Prayer Resources for Thanksgiving, posted at Godspace:
http://godspace-msa.com/2015/11/10/great-thanksgiving-prayers-resources-for-the-season/

which includes this prayer:

O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.
-Samuel F. Pugh

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Thanksgiving Resource Guide, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/thanksgiving-resource-guide/

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‘Harvest Goddess’ painting by Holly Sierra
http://www.hollysierra.com/files/Goddess_Paintings.html

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