Two Questions to ask before Thanksgiving
October 2025
Thanksgiving in Canada predates the American celebration and was the first in North America. The first recorded Thanksgiving in Canada was celebrated by English explorer Martin Frobisher in 1578 in what is now Newfoundland. He and his crew held a feast to give thanks for their safe passage through the Arctic.
Not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving. I think the greatest indicator of whether we continue the tradition lies in how we answer two questions: Who and what are we thankful for? and Who is thankful for us?
Who and what are we thankful for?
The longer our list of things we are grateful for, the more inclined we are to celebrate Thanksgiving. I am sure the English explorers thanked God for their safety, health, food, families, friends, and life itself. We today are not much different. The real blessings in our lives make us deeply grateful, and many of us express our thanksgiving by thanking God.
“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything…” — Ephesians 5:20
Who is thankful for us?
This is a much more revealing question. If our lives have been focused mainly on helping ourselves and our loved ones, the list of those who are thankful for us is likely very short. But if our lives are generous toward others in need—those seeking health, food, education, housing, justice and hope—then there is a chorus of people, many of whom may never know our names, giving thanks for our kindness and generosity.
The truth is that the more we help those in need, both locally and throughout the world, the more aware we become of the deep suffering of others. The consequences are twofold: we grow more grateful to God for our blessings, and those we help become more grateful to God as well.
Let me share two examples of people helping those in need—one from my godson and the other from a longtime close friend.
My godson is in high school in Vancouver and has volunteered once a week for the past two years, helping under-resourced children learn to read and write. This past year, he raised $2,000 at his school and was able to assist this nonprofit’s good work.
While visiting Lesbos, Greece, where thousands of refugees have arrived in overcrowded boats, a friend of mine rushed to help when someone shouted, “A boat is coming!” One terrified mother, fearing she wouldn’t reach shore, placed her baby in his arms. The moment left a lasting impression, and he later gave a generous gift to build a receiving centre for arriving refugees.
“Remember that kindness is not an act; it’s a reflection of your soul.” (anonymous)
Equally important are the hundreds of people who have benefited from such generosity. Many of them will also be saying thanks.
“In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” — Acts 20:35
In many ways, gathering around the table with friends and family for a Thanksgiving meal is our way of thanking God for the opportunity to help others. The truth is, each of us has weathered the storms of life and still recognizes how deeply blessed we are—much like the exhausted yet grateful sailors who gave thanks on the shores of Newfoundland over 400 years ago.
Happy Thanksgiving
Tom
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