New Britain herald., 1926-11-20
THE CHRIST SPIRIT IN
 THANKSGIVING"


 Text--'I thank Thee, Q Father Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent. and hast revealed them unto babes" Luke 10:21.
 In these words, we find the spirit of Jesus, continual thanksgiving There is nothing clearer or more wonderful about his beautiful and radiant spirit than it's constant thankfulness. Our Thanksgiving Day is different from Christmas and ancient, appointed by state rather than by church, celebrating common facts and blessings, not recalling any particular incident in the life and work of Christ. But it is question after all. whether Christmas and Easter really represent Christ any better than. Thanksgiving Day may represent Him. For it is also a day for remembering Him. day bright with the spirit that was In Him Remember
 Jesus gave thanks whenever he broke bread.
 Jesus gave thanks before institut- ing the Sacrament of Ills love.
 Jesus gave thanks on one occasion In so memorable a way that forever after that place and occasion was sacred In the memory Of His hear CTS just for the fervancy of His thanksgiving prayer.
 Again, "on the same night in which He was betrayed" Jesus 'gave thanks"
 Clearly then. If we would follow Him. We must be ourselves con- tinually filled with the grace of gratitude; and this Thanksgiving Day will seem to us not merely a memorial of a particular feast day in the history of Massachusetts Bay Colony and part of our New Eng land tradition and heritage, but also a great Christian day, sacred to the spirit and memory of our Master. It will serve to remind us further, that He not only gave to others "the garment of praise" but that he wore it Himself every day!
 Then, too, Jesus gave thanks chiefly and always for those bless ings, which He received in common with others. Many of us are inclined 10 give thanks if at all. for those things which make us different from others. No so, Jesus. He gives thanks in this passage and continu- ally for that which makes Him one with all men.
 It is instinctive, well-nigh in- evitable that man shall give thanks and be made happy when the select souls, the best intellects, the choice spirits recognize him as one of themselves; or when the exceptional things, the unique honors. the spe- cial blessings come his way. But i.
 
 Thanksgiving Day that God Al. mighty's perfect gentleman. Jesus Christ, the fairest soul that ever dawned on Galilee. gave thanks for just the reverse.
 "1 thank Thee, O Father, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes" That Was wha, made Christ thankful, Not that He was different from other men. but that He was like them: not that His Gospel was for select few. but that the way of life He came to ex. emplify could be experienced and appreciated by some choice spirits only, who stood above their fellows in intellectual acumen, spiritual in- sight, nobility of character, but thankful rather for ihe inclusiveness of His Gospel and the fact that 4 could be taken and understood by anybody.
 These, then. are two lessons from the Christ spirit Of Thanksgiving.
 First-give thanks always and fol everything God sends us.
 Sccond-give thanks this week and every week. not for the things that make us different. but for the greater things, the greatest thing, which make lis alike sons Of God those highest and most sacred belss- tnss. which we and all men hold in common.
 Only let that be the spirit of your Thanksgiving. and you cannot fail tc gain the blessing of God upon your feast.