Harold Myra - Thanksgiving, What Makes It Special?

This Book Belongs to:Thanksgiving
What Makes It Special? Harold Myraillustrated by jane kurisuFor Lindsey, Josh, and Rick Copyright 2002 by Harold Myra All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts in reviews. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Tommy Nelson, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Myra, Harold Lawrence, 1939
Thanksgiving: what makes it special? / Harold Myra ; illustrated by Jane Kurisu. p. cm.

Summary: As they prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, Todd and his family discuss the meaning of the holiday and its relationship to their Christian beliefs.
ISBN 1-4003-0006-1
[1. Thanksgiving DayFiction. 2. Christian lifeFiction.] I. Kurisu, Jane, 1952 ill. II.

Title.
PZ7.M9954 Th 2002
[E]dc21 2002023889 Printed in America
03 04 05 06 07 PHX 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 Contents We all recognize Thanksgiving as a national holiday with rich, deep meaning. Yet we are also tempted to make it just another four-day weekend. Most of us today enjoy an abundance of blessings. Its more vital than ever that we model for our children deep gratitude to God and a sharing of our bounty. My hope is that this book will help parents and children truly celebrate this biblical and historic day. Harold Myra H appy Turkey Day! sang the radio announcer.

Grrrrreat weather for football! Turkey Day? said Greg. Whats that mean? Dad scrunched his eyebrows. She means Thanksgiving, said Dad. Sometimes people call it Turkey Day. Gregs older brother grinned. Thats too bad, Todd, said Mom. Thats too bad, Todd, said Mom.

Thanksgiving isnt really Turkey Day or Pig-Out Day! She checked the pies in the oven while Michelle dropped cranberries into a grinder. I learned about it in school, said Michelle. It started when the Pilgrims thanked God. Oh, yeah! said Todd. And the Pilgrims wore those funny clothes. They just dressed differently from us, said Michelle.

They would probably think we wear funny clothes! Not me! said Todd and tugged on his jeans. Michelle tossed a cranberry at him. You know, half the Pilgrims died that first winter, Michelle said. But the Native Americans helped them. They shared their seeds and taught the Pilgrims how to plant crops that grew in America. So the next year, the Pilgrims had a good harvest.

They had enough to eat. Yeah, said Todd. Plus they fished and hunted. They found deer and ducks! Michelle nodded. They even had a feast. It was sort of a potluck dinner, Dad said. It was sort of a potluck dinner, Dad said.

The Native Americans brought five deer. And everyone feasted together for three whole days. How cool is that? Mom added. They also served wild turkey. Plus they had fish, oysters, and tons of veggies. It takes a lot of work to feed 140 people! They didnt even have ovens, said Dad.

They cooked Thanksgiving dinner over an open fire. So, Dad, said Todd, whats so bad about calling it Turkey Day? Well, son, its because Thanksgiving isnt just about turkey, said Dad. Its about being thankful. And we show were thankful when we praise God. The Pilgrims knew this. They shared their bounty with one another.

They were thankful that God enabled them to provide. And provide they did enough for themselves and their neighbors. I get it now, said Todd. Me too, said Michelle. Its just what the Bible says, Give thanks! Make a joyful noise to the Lord! I can make noise! said Greg. Next, Michelle and Greg decorated the windows. Next, Michelle and Greg decorated the windows.

They waited for their cousins to arrive. Good job, said Dad. Too bad we dont have a Moses decal. Hes part of Thanksgiving too. Moses? said Michelle. When did he visit America? Dad laughed.

Long before our Pilgrims were around, Moses commanded a full week of Thanksgiving. Oh, said Michelle. Like all through the Bible, there are stories where people give thanks to God. Exactly! said Dad. But sometimes, said Todd, people just think about turkey or football. When they think of Thanksgiving, they think of food.

Thats true, said Dad. We need to keep the thanks in Thanksgiving. Even Jesus knew people who werent thankful. Remember the story of the ten lepers? Jesus healed them, didnt He? asked Todd. He sure did, said Dad. But only one man came back.

He kneeled at Jesus feet. He was full of gratitude. You see, Thanksgiving means thanking God for everythingfor the breath in our lungs, for our loved ones. We need to be thankful for all He provides. Im thankful, said Todd as he eyed the cooling pies. Good for you, said Mom.

Jesus was thankful too. He constantly thanked His heavenly Father. Thank You, Jesus, said Greg. Thank you, Greg, said Mom. Dad crunched on a carrot. Giving thanks is even better for you than eating vegetables.

Michelle cocked her head. What? Anythings better than vegetables! Todd whispered. Really, said Dad. A scientific study proved that being thankful makes you feel healthy. So when youre thankful, your body almost purrs like a happy kitten. So at dinner, said Mom, lets count our blessings before we load up our plates.

Im thankful for hot pecan rolls, said Todd. What are you thankful for? Legos! shouted Greg. Dad pointed. Im thankful for sunshine and red maple leaves. Michelle said, Im thankful for friends and family. And God.

Dad winked. I see youve been listening at Sunday school.