Do you recognize this picture? Or, does it simply embody a traditional image of a Thanksgiving meal? Actually, this well-known work is by Norman Rockwell and was the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, not on Thanksgiving, but in March of 1943. The cover was to illustrate what President Franklin D. Roosevelt had said in an address the previous January 6, 1941 when he spoke of four freedoms: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear. This picture was to portray the American value of freedom from want. Actually, the last two freedoms were quite controversial at the time and labeled as being socialistic or opening the door for more government intervention, because only the first two are guaranteed under the US Constitution. Aren’t you thankful that ours is not the only generation embroiled in political controversy?

Regardless of the historical context, this painting has become for many people the symbol of what Thanksgiving and the traditional turkey should look like. Does this fit your image? I’d be curious to know what Thanksgiving means to you. Not necessarily what you are thankful for (though it is certainly important to know that for which you are thankful), but what is it that this holiday has come to mean to you? My brother-in-law always says that this is his favorite holiday. Is it yours? Why or why not?

Here is an interesting statement from the New Practical Reference Library published in 1903, so that we can get an idea of what Thanksgiving meant to folks over 100 year ago.

Thanksgiving is to Americans what Christmas is to those in England. For the wealthy, elaborate displays of fine foods are often part of the celebrations, while more simple fare is enjoyed elsewhere. It began as a harvest festival, but has also become a day set aside to give thanks for peace and prosperity and general blessings bestowed by the Divine Being.

Another interesting quote is attributed to George Herbert.

Thou hast given so much to me,

Give one thing more, – a grateful heart;

Not thankful when it pleaseth me,

As if Thy blessings had spare days,

But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.

Yet one more worthwhile thought comes from President John F. Kennedy.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and count your many blessings. To my many friends outside of the United States, I realize that this is a purely American holiday steeped in American tradition. However, I invite you to join with me in setting aside some time today to reflect on what it means to have a grateful heart and what it means to express that gratitude by the way we live our lives.