Not Alone

 

I’ve been thinking about it for a few days,

And I’ve decided that

Part of the reason

There aren’t a lot of Thanksgiving songs

Is because Thanksgiving isn’t a liturgical season.

Thanksgiving isn’t part of the liturgical calendar at all

Because Thanksgiving is very much an American holiday

And the liturgical calendar is very much a world-wide thing.

 

Additionally,

Thanksgiving isn’t a money maker.

Though we’ve gotten very good at commercializing holidays,

Thanksgiving doesn’t really take hold because

There’s not a culturally accepted gimmick

And true Thanks-Giving can’t be monetized.

 

Furthermore,

Thanksgiving is only a one-day holiday.

Why write music about a one-day holiday?

 

And so,

The Thanksgiving music canon is small.

 

And yet,

Shouldn’t it, truly, be the biggest canon of all?

 

No.

Not songs about America’s bumpy and sometimes ugly past,

But songs about Thanks-giving,

Giving thanks,

Songs about gratefulness for

All that we have,

All that we are,

And all that we will be.

Not songs diminishing

Hurt, pain, heartache, and despair,

But songs that recognize that

Through it all,

There is reason to be thankful.

 

On this Thanksgiving Day,

Without many songs dedicated specifically to this day,

May we find songs that resonate with our hearts

And express whatever gratitude we can muster for

All that life brings.

The day will be hard for many—

Grieving loved ones,

Missing loved ones,

Feeling alone,

Being alone—

Yet we can remind those around us,

Through words and presence,

That they are not alone.

 

Which reminds me of a song.

 

Child you’re not alone in this world

And you never have to be.

No I will never forsake you

If you put your trust in me

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And I will lead you through

When the storms rage

And the battles are fought

I am here with you.

 

Thanks be to God.

 

Amen.