US Thanksgiving

[Naomi]

Thursday, the 28th is a special day in the United States: Thanksgiving. It is also the first day of Hanukkah.

Do you have special plans or traditions?

[phkrause]

Not only is it my two favorite Holidays, but this year is even more special! Its our 42 wedding Anniversary. Unfortunately with the 2 grandchildren, we don't really have any major plans this year. We will be having a Tofurky Roast this year. We've pretty much given up "fowl" eating. LOL

[Naomi]

How cool is that: 42nd Anniversary on your two favorite holidays!!! Tofurky Roast and your grandsons is a nice day ... put the kids to bed early :)

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

It'll just be me and my mom... She wants to make the meal, so looks like turkey, cranberries, candied yams, carrots/celery sticks, olives, and pumpkin pie! Then we'll probably sit and watch an old movie, probably Miracle on 34th Street...

[Kevin H]

Not only is it my two favorite Holidays, but this year is even more special! Its our 42 wedding Anniversary. Unfortunately with the 2 grandchildren, we don't really have any major plans this year. We will be having a Tofurky Roast this year. We've pretty much given up "fowl" eating. LOL

Congratulations!!!

[Naomi]

As I had no invitations, I had thought that I would spend Thanksgiving alone until last evening when my granddaughter called to confirm that she is driving in late Wednesday evening. NOW I shall shop for the special meal ... and probably an old movie ... much like Pam LOL

[cricket]

We'll be visiting with my in-laws. They're buying a beef brisket and pre-made sides. My kids want a traditional dinner, so I'm making (and hauling with us) a turkey, a couple of GF pumpkin pies, rolls, stuffing (or dressing, as some people call it), gravy, corn-on-the-cob, and cranberry jelly. (And here I thought I'd get the day "off".)

[Naomi]

Sounds like a feast Cricket. Safe travels and enjoy!!

[Kevin H]

Have to work. Will grab a quick lunch with my mom, sister and son. Tomorrow will mix together the stuffing and my special Pumpkin pie

[Naomi]

Do you have a special pumpkin pie receipt that you wish to share?

[Johann]

Thanksgiving seems to be celebrated anywhere Americans happen to be. Also here in Iceland where we among 19 enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner last night because Thursday is not an official holiday. I suppose many vegetarians make an exception with the Thanksgiving turkey, but I had plenty with all of the trimmings, including two different dishes of sweet potatoes, and the pumpkin pie. Cranberries are a must.

Our host was expected to be there, but in the last moment work called him to Norway, so we were connected by Skype and we enjoyed him singing the Star Spangled Banner. He had taped music in the background.

[Naomi]

I understand Douglas, The holidays have not been the same for since Mother died. Come up and I'll find a piece of bread or something for you :)

[Naomi]

That's cool Johann. I hadn't thought about it, but you are correct, Thanksgiving is celebrated anywhere Americans happen to be. Happy you enjoy a celebration even if a portion was via Skype.

You reminded me of a Thanksgiving that I spent in Romania. I was there doing a series of meetings and the Elders and their families felt badly that I was away from home on Thanksgiving. They went on-line to see how a traditional Thanksgiving in America was celebrated and went to great lengths to recreate it.... such a sweet surprise ... memories I shall long treasure.

[CoAspen]

for the Romanians!

[Liz]

My family of four will be heading to my parents house (A five minute drive), I think my oldest brother will be there, all other siblings have plans. We'll have the big dinner with turkey and all the trimmings. We generally play Monopoly or Canasta while watching football.

[ClubV12]

I'm meeting up with about ten friends, all of us with no immediate family. So a rag tag band of misfits. My new lady "friend" put it together so we could hang out in a group setting. We have deemed it to dangerous to be alone with each other.

[nuff sed]

My daughter-in-law invited about 25 people to join us for Thanksgiving. They are of various nationalities. American, Australian, Chinese... You might also be able to join us if you want to come to Hong Kong. I can send you the address. Nuff Sed

[Naomi]

Sounds wonderful!!! Thanks for the invite .... calling the airport

[Johann]

Heading for Thanksgiving celebration today?

[phkrause]

Have a safe trip

[Kevin H]

Thanksgiving and Hanukkah are starting! A time to reflect on God's blessings to us. A time to remember that even in rough situations that if we trust in God, God will ultimately see us through. And there is an aspect of Hanukkah from the book of John that Christians have overlooked (part by not being respectful enough to Jewish brothers and sisters, and part being the chapter division being in the middle of the story).

In John there is a section of stories where Jesus is celebrating a temple celebration. He has a talk focusing on part of that celebration. There is an "I Am" statement related to that celebration, and a sign, where Jesus does something emphasizing the aspect of the celebration. It does not always follow this order, but has all these elements.

In John 10 and 11 Jesus is celebrating the feast of the dedication, or Hanukkah. He says that those who come to him that even death cannot separate them from him. His friend Lazarus gets sick and the family calls on Jesus for help, however Jesus does not come. Lazarus dies and spends days in the grave, decomposing and thus smelling bad. Then Jesus comes, says "I am the Resurrection and the Life". He visits the grave. He cries with the family. He commands the stone to be rolled away. The air is polluted by the smell of rotting flesh. Jesus says "Lazarus, come forth" and the pungent smell dissipates, and fresh air returns, and a living Lazarus is reunited with the family!

Hanukkah celebrates that even though the worship of the true God stopped, and put to death by persecution, God was able to raise it up. John makes an application that even if the true worshipers of God die, even if they are in the grave for a long time, decomposing, Jesus weeps with us. As we deal with empty seats at our holiday tables, let's remember the story and the promises that the day will come when the true Hanukkah light will come and ignite the light of their life so they will shine again and this time with no end!

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah!

[Kevin H]

Having a quick bite to eat with my mom, sister and son and then to work just a little less than a double shift

[lazarus]

Today is also a day of mourning for some Native Americans

http://www.syracuse.com/opinion/index.ss..._commentar.html

[Nan]

Hoping all those celebrating Thanksgiving today (or yesterday from where I am ) have had a blessed and safe day.

[Johann]

We should make every day a day of thanksgving