Thanksgiving is Sacred

This Thanksgiving there were more stores open on Thanksgiving day than in years past, and that caused some controversy amongst the American public.  The concern was primarily for the employees of those stores who were being pressed into service on Thanksgiving day rather than having the day off.  I saw a story about it on a network newscast where they interviewed a woman who was out shopping the day after Thanksgiving.  She was very opposed to stores being open for business on Thanksgiving day.  Her reason?  She said, “Thanksgiving is sacred.”

Really?  What does that mean?  What does “sacred” mean?  I suppose that woman was using the word to say that Thanksgiving day should be regarded with a certain reverence, but I think that because of the religious connotations of the word, it might be a rather strong choice of adjectives in this instance.

We could say that it’s good to set aside a day to give thanks for all our blessings.  We could say it’s helpful.  We could say it’s healthy.  But sacred?  What makes something sacred anyway?  I would think that some kind of God-involvement would make something sacred.  Something that is set aside for God or by God is often referred to as sacred.  With that in mind, is there a day other than Thanksgiving day that better qualifies to be described as sacred?

How about every Saturday if you’re Jewish or Seventh-day Adventist?  How about every Sunday if you’re Christian?  How about one day out of every seven if you’re anyone wanting to live according to the way prescribed by the God of the Bible?  Rather than one day every year being regarded as sacred, how about one day every week?   What about one day every week where it’s not mostly about money and it’s not even mostly about family, but it’s mostly about God? 

“Thanksgiving is sacred” is not in the Bible.  “It is good to give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 92:1) is in the Bible, as is “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).