The Thanksgiving Table
When anyone mentions the Thanksgiving holiday, the first image that comes to mind is the table. Perhaps that’s because it’s all about food; from the classic favorites— turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy—to the things that are hotly debated—is it stuffing or dressing, or which is better: homemade cranberry sauce or the correct answer…canned cranberry sauce. Then there are the foods that never should have made the cut: turducken, tofurkey and, in my opinion, candied yams! I’m sure you have your own personal favorites and perhaps a few recipes that you hope a particular relative might have misplaced in the last year. But beyond the food and feasting, there is another reason the table is an indelible image of Thanksgiving celebrations: it is the place where family gathers. For many families, it may be the one time each year when the entire extended family is together. Whenever a family member can’t be there—whether due to schedules not aligning or those who are absent having been called to the Lord’s nearer presence—it can be bittersweet. But for those who gather, it is a precious time—a chance for families to reflect together on their blessings and remember how God has been faithful in their lives.
I’ve been thinking lately about the way the last few years have changed how we worship—how our family gathers. Some have become accustomed to worshiping via livestream; still others have not returned at all. Sadly, those who worship from home miss something a livestream can never offer: the family table. A table graciously prepared by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—where we are the guests, and He is the Host. At this table, Jesus Himself speaks and His powerful words bring into effect what they say, and those words speak clear that the gracious gift of His body given for you. The body and blood of Christ are food for the soul, surpassing any Thanksgiving feast we could ever imagine.
These are difficult days. But our Lord’s table is, as Luther writes in the Large Catechism, for times “when the heart feels that the burden is becoming too heavy.” Whatever burden you bear, whatever sorrow weights you down, whatever temptation you face, you will find strength for your journey at the Lord’s table of forgiveness. The gifts of this table carry us toward the future, toward the great banquet yet to come when we will no longer see Christ hidden in the appearance of of bread and wine but will see Him face-to-face. For this we offer our heartfelt thanks. Indeed, this table of forgiveness is the ultimate place for thanksgiving. We join our voices in the
words of the old Danish hymn:
O, Jesus blessed Lord, to Thee
My heartfelt thanks forever be,
Who hast so lovingly bestowed
On me Thy body and Thy blood.
Break forth, my soul, for joy and say:
What wealth is come to me today!
My Savior dwells within my heart:
How blessed am I! How good Thou art!
This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the gift of the family table and the joy we find there. And, yes, we are profoundly grateful to the Lord for the forgiveness, joy, and peace that we receive at His table.
(Click here to see Aaron's full November 2022 newsletter.)
