Gratitude Beyond Thanksgiving: How To Give Thanks Year-Round

Thanksgiving is one of America’s most cherished holidays. For most people, the observance means traveling, family time, turkey and stuffing, pumpkin pie, football, and naps. Gratitude usually fits in somewhere, but giving thanks is often relegated to a brief prayer or blessing before the meal — or gratitude that traffic wasn’t worse.

Some churches and families try to turn the month of November into a remembrance of God’s blessings and goodness. But even an entire month of gratitude doesn’t suffice, according to the Bible. God’s Word emphasizes continual praise from a grateful heart — for blessings as well as hardship and suffering.

Let’s look at Thanksgiving’s roots and similar observances worldwide. Then we’ll see what the Bible says about returning thanks to our great God. And we’ll share some practical advice for showing thanks year-round.

Thanksgiving and Other Traditions of Gratitude

In America, Thanksgiving Day dates to 1621. After surviving a harsh winter with the help of the Wampanoag people, English Pilgrims held a feast at Plymouth Colony, in what’s now Massachusetts. It wasn’t called “Thanksgiving” at the time, but early settlers often marked major community events with days of thanks that were essentially religious observances. Gradually, other states began holding an annual day to celebrate the harvest.

More than two centuries later, Thanksgiving became a national holiday. Editor Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned for nearly 30 years, writing letters to politicians asking for a national day of thanks. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that Americans would celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday of November. The president hoped to foster unity and healing in a nation divided by the Civil War.

Franklin Roosevelt moved the holiday up one week in 1939, hoping to extend the Christmas shopping season and boost the struggling economy. Confusion resulted, however, with some states observing the holiday on the original date and others following the new one. The competing holidays were mockingly dubbed Republican Thanksgiving and Democratic Thanksgiving. As many of us have experienced, politics and holiday gatherings don’t mix well!

In 1941, Congress officially set Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November, where it remains. Diverse cultural groups have embraced or reshaped the holiday. For many Native American communities, colonization has led to mixed emotions about Thanksgiving. Some First Nation groups observe a National Day of Mourning instead.

In Canada, Thanksgiving also began as a celebration of harvests. Declared in 1879, the national holiday is observed on the second Monday of October. Similar harvest festivals include Germany’s Erntedankfest and the United Kingdom’s Harvest Festival. Japan’s Kinrō Kansha no Hi, or Labor Thanksgiving Day, emphasizes gratitude for hard work and community contributions.

These traditions highlight a common truth: Gratitude is an essential part of the human experience. For Christians, the role of faith adds deeper significance.

Biblical Foundation of Gratitude

Gratitude isn’t just a polite custom, it’s a biblical mandate. Scripture overflows with commands and reminders to give thanks. Psalm 107:1 (NRSV) declares, “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Biblical gratitude is rooted not in fleeting moments but in the eternal goodness and faithfulness of God. Paul echoes this in Colossians 3:17. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Gratitude should permeate every aspect of our lives — at church, home, work and throughout the community.

Thankfulness in All Circumstances

One of the most challenging aspects of biblical gratitude is God’s command to give thanks in all circumstances (see 1 Thessalonians 5:18). This doesn’t mean we’re excited about pain, suffering or hardship, but we can maintain a thankful heart while trusting in God’s sovereignty and goodness.

It’s one thing to thank God for a promotion at work. It’s quite another to offer thanks for a pink slip. Giving thanks to God for troubling medical news is tough. The key? Gratitude isn’t merely a feeling. When the going gets tough, our theology — what we believe about God — shines through.

Think about Job, who lost everything yet still blessed the name of the Lord (Job 1:21). Job’s gratitude wasn’t tied to material blessings but to his understanding of God’s promises and presence. The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, encouraged believers to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4). This verse emphasizes that a grateful heart transcends circumstances, anchored in faith and God’s goodness.

Cultivating Year-Round Gratitude

Church leaders can teach and model thanksgiving as a lifestyle, not just a holiday. Use these ideas to say thank you for spiritual and earthly blessings throughout the year.

1. Gratitude at Church

During worship, provide regular opportunities to thank God. Mention gratitude in sermons, liturgies and prayers. Try these ideas to help your congregation keep a grateful heart:

• Thanks-Themed Services. Add gratitude moments or services year-round. Set aside time to share testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Invite congregants to publicly and specifically thank God for his gifts.
• Gratitude Groups. Small groups can study or focus on thanksgiving. Rather than bringing supplications and requests, people can gather to thank Jesus for who he is and for answered prayers.
• Thanksgiving Walls. Set up bulletin boards so churchgoers and Sunday school students can post notes of gratitude. This could also be an online forum or group. Seeing the church’s collective gratitude develops a culture of thankfulness.

2. Gratitude at Home

Thankfulness begins at home. Encourage individuals and families to build thanksgiving into their daily routines:

• Gratitude Journals. Each day, write one thing to be thankful for, reflecting on God’s provision and grace.
• “Thank You, God!” Set aside time during meals or at bedtime to share what you’re grateful for. This practice strengthens faith and encourages prayer.
• Family Devotions. Recommend a kid-friendly Bible study about thankfulness. Then families can thank the Holy Spirit for how he works in their lives and homes. Choose a life verse like Psalm 100:4 as a reminder to give thanks daily.

3. Gratitude Through Service

People often reveal true gratitude through action. Recognizing God’s blessings should motivate us to bless others in return.

• Service Projects. Organize events so congregants can give back to the community. From food drives to free tutoring, service is a tangible expression of appreciation.
• Acts of Kindness. Remind church members of all ages to regularly practice acts of kindness. That’s a powerful way to live out thankfulness. Small acts — like paying for someone’s coffee or writing an encouraging note — reflect the overflow of a grateful heart.

Gratitude involves more than a one-day reflection. It’s a way of life, rooted in our faith and trust in God’s will. Pastors, teachers and parents can lead the way by showing why we should maintain a grateful heart in all circumstances.

So, let’s move beyond a once-a-year Thanksgiving celebration and nurture gratitude in our churches, homes and communities. In times of abundance or challenge, may we always give thanks to Christ Jesus, the source of every earthly and spiritual blessing. In doing so, we fulfill the biblical call to live with a grateful heart, reflecting God’s goodness and love to a world in need.

Happy Thanksgiving!