Now Thank We All Our God

[bluidkiti]

"Now Thank We All Our God"

Now thank we all our God
with hearts and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who, from our mothers' arms,
has blest us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

Oh, may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
and keep us all in grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all harm
in this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son, and Spirit blest,
who reign in highest heaven,
the one eternal God,
whom earth and heav'n adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

Today is Thanksgiving Sunday in Canada, and so I thought it was appropriate to pick a hymn of thanksgiving. Hopefully, for many the harvest is now complete and the grains and other produce are safely stored. We give thanks this day for the bounty of the earth. We celebrate the harvest, take a break for a while and then begin the task of planting once again.

This particular hymn differs from many of the other hymns of thanksgiving in that it is not focused on the harvest, but instead offers thanks for the whole cycle of life and places that life firmly in God's care and keeping. Unfortunately, I don't think this world always rejoices in the wondrous things God has done, as it perhaps once did. This hymn reminds us again to pause and give the thanks that are due. May we rejoice and give thanks this day and every day.

Thanks, Lord, for this year's harvest and for your enduring presence in our lives. Keep us ever near you and guide us on our way. Keep us ever mindful of your many gifts and give us joyful and thankful hearts. To you be given all praise, now and forever. Amen.

James Hendricksen