Friendsgiving to Thanksgiving

Friendsgiving is a newly coined term, referring to a meal and gathering of friends, similar to and around the time of Thanksgiving.  You can search its origins as easily as I can, but I first encountered the concept as college students held a Thanksgiving-type buffet dinner together before heading home to their families for Thanksgiving.  I continue to hear about Friendsgivings among various communities such as neighborhoods or church small groups.

I do wonder about the emphasis and intent of a Friendsgiving, as opposed to Thanksgiving.  Hopefully, it is not the replacement of the family but an extra dose of celebrating with an additional group of people.  In other words, an extra chance for great food and fellowship in the harvest season.  I also wonder if some individuals use the term Friendsgiving to de-emphasize gratitude or religious significance, but the Friendsgiving events that I’ve known of include giving thanks in their celebration among friends.

A holiday devoted to giving thanks by feasting together is splendid and accurately regards American history.  Thanksgiving is Biblical too.  The American event is not, of course, found in the Bible, but giving thanks is a theme throughout Scripture.  In the inspired words of 1 Thessalonians 5 v 16-18, Paul famously said to be thankful in everything. The Scripture is a trio of commands: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” [The continual nature of giving thanks is also found in Ephesians 5 v 20, Philippians 4 v 6 and Colossians 3 v 17]

It’s hard to think of always being thankful in light of tragedies, deadly diseases, and waging wars that we hear of too often.  Sadly, there will be empty seats at Thanksgiving tables.  Psalm 107 v 1 reveals how unconditional gratitude is possible: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.”  Again, we are told to give thanks, but there is more clarification here with a direct and indirect object.  We give thanks  TO  God  BECAUSE  He is good.  The circumstances may not be good by human standards, but God Himself, by definition, is good (think holy, correct, sovereign).  Whether you are already half full of turkey and pumpkin pie from Friendsgiving or headed to Thanksgiving with family anticipating a feast and the fellowship, go with a grateful heart to God, for who He is!

Author: Brenda Proulx

Wife, mother and grandmother, educator and someone who thinks about the things I observe. I am the daughter of a writer; my dad's career was in the field of journalism. More significantly, I am God's child, a person believing in Jesus Christ and in His timeless Word. Blogging is new to me but I feel like I've always had a pen in my hand. I jot notes in my planner, mark papers, underline verses, write many letters, and occasionally draft articles for work or church. When I am not holding a pen, I am probably cuddling a mug of coffee. View all posts by Brenda Proulx