Thanksgiving

During my growing-up years, we placed a fruit-filled wicker cornucopia on our Thanksgiving table, surrounded by pilgrim, indian, and turkey candles we were forbidden to light, lest they become headless before the meal ended.

We sang hymns in church not heard other time of the year~ones with words so rich, honoring God—the One Whom we thanked.

Below are lyrics to one of those hymns. I awed especially at the last half of the second stanza. Back in the 1990s my husband and I were falsely accused of a crime and tried for it. Although eventually cleared, our spirits hit bottom. Yet hope's flame burned, unlike those wax figures on my childhood Thanksgiving table. God defended us and won our victory. Thanks be to Him!

We Gather Together
(Public Domain)

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

He chastens and hastens His will to make known.

The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.

Sing praises to His name, He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,

Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;

So from the beginning the fight we were winning;

Thou, Lord, wast at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,

And pray that thou still our Defender wilt be.

Let Thy congregation escape tribulation; 

Thy Name be ever praised! Oh Lord, make us free!

Blessed Thanksgiving, all!