It’s officially holiday season. Some of you may even have your tree and your turkey gear sharing space in your home. My husband has a thing about waiting until December 1 to put up Christmas, but I may try to push the envelope this year.

I recently heard the holidays described more as holy days, and it got me thinking. Christmas and Easter…definitely holy days to celebrate. Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4th? Not so much holy days, but I believe there are still ways to celebrate what the Lord has allowed – freedom, rest, sacrifice.

Thanksgiving felt a little like a wild card. It’s not really “Christian.” More a celebration of a long standing tradition, even though our forefathers who planted themselves here did come for religious freedom. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it truly is and should be a holy day. Thanksgiving is inextricably tied to the Christian life. Giving thanks is mentioned in some form or fashion over 100 times in the Bible. It is a command. A mindset. A calling. Giving thanks is hard, holy, disciplined, and fruitful work. And what a heart posture to cultivate going into Christmas!

So on that note, THANK YOU for journeying with me, for loving my stories, and just stories in general, for celebrating me and other authors. I couldn’t ask for better book-ish friends than you. You are a gift!