As Thanksgiving arrives, then gives way to the December holidays and the close of another year, many of us find ourselves gathering with family and friends, sharing traditions, exchanging gifts and reflecting on what matters most. However we celebrate — or whether we celebrate at all — this season offers an opportunity to pause, recognize our blessings, and consider how we might extend kindness and generosity to others.
For Thanksgiving, families and friends plan gatherings to share good food, memories and gratitude. I am grateful for the meal that will fill our table and all the people who make it possible: the cooks who prepare our feast; the farmers who grow the vegetables, sweet potatoes and turkeys; the people who process and transport the food; grocery store workers; those who decorate the table; and the family and friends who gather to share it.
Thanksgiving began in America during the 17th century as an occasional fall celebration for European colonists to give thanks for a good harvest, safe journeys, overcoming hardships, and military victories. Although the 1621 celebration between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Tribe built on a friendly alliance, later relationships with Indigenous people became more complicated and conflicted. In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November a day for unity and healing the nation’s wounds during the Civil War. Surely, 2026 is another time when our nation is called to heal its wounds and remember the blessings that unite us.
As I write this message, it is election day, Nov. 3, 2026. By the time you read this, the election itself is behind us, but its full implications will still be unfolding. Some may be deeply disappointed by the results, while others celebrate. There may be disagreement, legal challenges and uncertainty ahead. It is easy to fear what may happen. It is also possible that we come together peacefully and work cooperatively for the good of our country.
In my morning meditation on election day, I sensed the divine power and presence throughout our nation. Peace and love filled my being. I remembered that Thanksgiving is a time to gather with friends and family in peace and harmony, giving thanks for our many blessings. Some families invite someone who might otherwise be alone; others volunteer at a community holiday dinner. Beyond breaking bread together, we can listen to neighbors with curiosity instead of judgment and seek understanding, especially with those who don’t share our beliefs. We may find common ground!
I grew up in Maryland. The 1860 census, held shortly before the Civil War began, showed that 49% of the state’s African Americans were free. Although Maryland remained a Union state and abolished slavery before the war ended, local militias fought on both sides. Animosity tore apart families, pitting brother against brother. The bloodshed and grief touched generations. After the war, families came home to face one another and, eventually, remember the love that had once united them. At Thanksgiving, they gathered again to share gratitude for an abundant harvest, and a fresh start rooted in love and unity.
This year we can celebrate Thanksgiving and this holiday season as a time to heal our wounds and be grateful for our blessings. Some are rewards for work completed, others are gifts from family and friends, and some are simply there because nature has created beauty everywhere! Just feast your eyes on Lake Tahoe’s crystal-blue waters, towering evergreens, squirrels gathering nuts for winter, and snow on the highest peaks promising future skiing. During this time of reflection, we offer a sincere “Thank you!”
The best moments, however, are when we give or receive love, joy, and acceptance. All of us are children of the same sacred source or guide, whatever we call that: God, Jehovah, Allah, Buddha, Universal Intelligence, Spirit, or Father-Mother God.
To heal, our nation might choose to follow the Arapaho tribe proverb, “When we show respect for other living things, they respond in kind.” We can welcome everyone to our Thanksgiving tables. We can give gratitude for our many blessings and share them with the world.
Happy feasting and happy holidays!
~ Rev. Pam Cosby Brandman is an ordained minister with the Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL). Her mission is to inspire, love and empower. She serves as co-chair of the CSL Visioning Team, an international group that supports organizations to envision and manifest divine possibilities for wholeness, unity, love, and growth.
