Dear Downer,

Both of these holidays are to be kept in the right perspective. What is the meaning of these holidays and why do we celebrate? I must say both of them have gotten way off base as to why we celebrate and how.

The first Thanksgiving was neither a feast nor a holiday; it was a simple gathering following the Mayflower’s arrival at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. It progressed from this point and took a span of 150 years to establish Thanksgiving as it is now celebrated and was proclaimed a national holiday by George Washington. Then President Lincoln proclaimed the holiday to be celebrated the last Thursday in November; then Congress sanctioned it as a legal holiday in 1941.

Thanksgiving is a relationship between God and man. Upon their arrival at New Plymouth, the Pilgrims composed the Mayflower Compact, which honored God. Thanksgiving begins with acknowledging God as faithful, earnestly giving Him thanks, in advance, for His abundant blessings. This sounds like Philippians 4:6.

Christmas is all about Christ and what He did being born and coming into this world for all mankind. Once again this holiday is about relationship between God and man! With this very short history lesson, we can see both holidays start with humble beginnings and both got all blown up and now have a worldly, commercial spin.

How wonderful you had your mom to go to church with and to celebrate with, but your mom is walking through heaven now and would not want you to have dark days during these holidays. Be a doer of the words you learned while sitting in church and have thanksgiving in your heart for Christ coming into the world setting His people free.

While you focus on the TRUE meaning of both Thanksgiving and Christmas, go out and help others with joy and a song in your heart. You’ll see what a difference this makes in their lives…and in yours.

Send your questions to Judy Baus, 9309-99W Highway, Gerber CA 96035 or baus1@juno.com