Monday, December 15, 2025

           Colossians 1:3 opens with four words to live by.  We find, “we always thank God.”  What an example to follow!  We always thank God.  When?  Always!  That command does not mean we always enjoy everything that happens or that we necessarily welcome everything.  But we always have some reason to thank God.  And we remember that God can work in the worst and direst of circumstances we may face.  There is always some sort of blessing, expression of grace or act of goodness that we can acknowledge before Him. This admonition to thank God is characteristic of Paul.  He wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances.”  Here, prepositions matter.  The command is to give thanks IN all circumstances—not necessarily FOR all circumstances.  Beginning the day with some words of thanksgiving and gratitude may be just the introduction for how the rest of the day goes.  We can practically always find some sort of basis to give thanks to the Lord.
            This time of year, we can always find plenty of reasons to be grateful.  We are thankful for the love of Jesus who left His rightful place with the Father to be born into this world as our Savior.  We are thankful for the abundance of grace that is bestowed upon us every single hour of every day.  We are grateful for the angel of the Lord who announced our Savior’s birth for all people.  We are grateful for the cross and the empty tomb which mean the price has been paid, the debt has been cancelled and we can live forever through our trust in Jesus alone.  We always thank God!
            During the Christmas season, we praise God for the music that stirs us and helps us to capture the glory of Jesus’ birth in a way that other forms of expression often fail.  We are thankful for the clear, simple and straightforward testimony of Luke 2 that gives us the details of the incarnation in a way that even a child can understand. There is no mistaking what God did out of love for us.  We can be thankful for time with friends and family to catch up and cherish where God has worked and what He has done over the previous year.  We can be thankful for the anticipation and promise of a looming new year with new ways to walk with the Lord.
            In many of Paul’s letters, he named people for whom he was thankful.  He called out and singled out individuals who had been great partners to Him in the work of expanding and spreading the gospel.  Be grateful today for those who encourage you in your faith.  Be grateful for those who have taught you or listened to you and shared God’s eternal Word with you.  Be grateful for parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and your brothers and sisters in Christ who have invested in you.  Perhaps a worthy life goal for all of us is to be remembered as people who always gave thanks to God.  Set that example for your children and grandchildren. 
            As you ponder and treasure the good news of Jesus’ birth, season your thinking with thanksgiving.  Let your life be flavored with gratitude for the blessings that have been gathered around you.  We’re not called to compare our situations to that of others but to be grateful for the evidence of God’s care, grave and provisions in our lives here and now. God is good and worthy to be praised.  Indeed, the great company of the heavenly host taught us a chorus we can recite or sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all men on whom His favor rests.”  Give thanks always!  Have a great Monday!