Canadian Thanksgiving Day - Monday, October 14, 2002

Canada celebrates its Thanksgiving Day before they do in the USA, however, I don't know if other countries have their own Thanksgiving Day. If you know of other countries that has a Thanksgiving Day, please tell us what country does, and when.

Let us also look at why we have a Thanksgiving Day in both Canada and the USA.

Then, and most important of all, what are we thankful for?

I m originaly from Estonia and we dont have Thanksgiving there.So this year,when i m in the USA its my first one.I look forward to it,because i have heard so much about that holiday.

I was reading this, and thought to share, because I agree with the message Mrs. White shared and now pray it will be a blessing for all who are desiring to purchase gold from Christ.

How Shall We Observe Thanksgiving? --Our Thanksgiving is approaching. Will it be, as it has been in many instances, a thanksgiving to ourselves? Or will it be a thanksgiving to God? Our Thanksgivings may be made seasons of great profit to our own souls as well as to others if we improve this opportunity to remember the poor among us. . . . There are a hundred ways that can be devised to help the poor in so delicate a manner as to make them feel that they are doing us a favor by receiving our gifts and sympathy. We are to remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive. The attentions of our brethren are most liberal to those whom they wish to honor, and whose respect they desire, but who do not need their help at all. Custom and fashion say, Give to those who will give to you; but this is not the Bible rule of giving. The word of God declares against this way of gratifying self in thus bestowing our gifts, and says, "He that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want."
Now a season is coming when we shall have our principles tested. Let us begin to think what we can do for God's needy ones. We can make them through ourselves the recipients of God's blessings. Think what widow, what orphan, what poor family you can relieve, not in a way to make a great parade about the matter, but be as a

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channel through which the Lord's substance shall flow as a blessing to His poor. . . . But this does not embrace all your duty. Make an offering to your best Friend; acknowledge His bounties; show your gratitude for His favors; bring a thank offering to God. . . . Brethren and sisters, eat a plain dinner on Thanksgiving Day, and with the money you would spend in extras with which to indulge the appetite, make a thank offering to God.
Let not any more Thanksgiving days be observed to please and gratify the appetite and glorify self. We have reason for coming into the courts of the Lord with offerings of gratitude that He has preserved our lives another year. . . . If a feast is to be made, let it be for those who are in need. A Day to Give Thanks. [* NOTE: PART OF A THANKSGIVING SERMON DELIVERED AT THE BATTLE CREEK TABERNACLE, NOV. 27, 1884.]--I think we have something to be thankful for. We ought to be glad and rejoice in God, for He has given us many mercies. . . . We want this Thanksgiving to be all that it implies. Do not let it be perverted, mingled with dross; but let it be what its name implies--giving thanks. Let our voices ascend in praise. Why Not Holidays Unto God? --Would it not be well for us to observe holidays unto God, when we could revive in our minds the memory of His dealing with us? Would it not be well to consider His past blessings, to remember the impressive warnings that have come home to our souls so that we shall not forget God? he world has many holidays, and men become
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engrossed with games, with horse races, with gambling, smoking, and drunkenness. . . .
Shall not the people of God more frequently have holy convocations in which to thank God for His rich blessings? Holidays Afford Opportunity for Missionary Service. - We want men in the church who have ability to develop in the line of organizing and giving practical work to young men and women in the line of relieving the wants of humanity and working for the salvation of the souls of men, women, youth, and children. It will not be possible for all to give their whole time to the work because of the labor they must do to earn their daily living. Yet these have their holidays and times that they can devote to Christian work and do good in this way if they cannot give much of their means. When you have a holiday, make it a pleasant and happy day for your children, and make it also a pleasant day for the poor and the afflicted. Do not let the day pass without bringing thanksgiving and thank offerings to Jesus. The Adventist Home, Holidays and Anniversary’s 474:02-476:03.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving Day!