With Gratitude on Thanksgiving

In addition to turkey, pumpkin pie and American football, Thanksgiving is about gratitude and spending time with family and friends. 

My daughter is a big fan of Frozen. No surprise here; I think every pre-school kid loves Frozen. It is certainly time to “ring in the season.” In our family, the festive season starts with Thanksgiving which is always on the fourth Thursday in November. Because we don’t get the day off in the U.K., we always host a Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. 

However, this year on Thanksgiving Day we decided to spend the morning with our fellow compatriots. On a gorgeous sunny albeit freezing morning, Kenz and I attended the American Thanksgiving Day Service at the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral. Designed by notable architect Sir Christopher Wren, St. Paul’s Cathedral sits on Ludgate Hill and dominated the City of London skyline for some 300 years. Under the gorgeous dome, St. Paul’s Cathedral held numerous state funerals, special occasions such as Royal Jubilees, and of course Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s 1981 wedding. 

Having never stepped foot inside St. Paul’s Cathedral, attending Thanksgiving service was a very good excuse to marvel at the beauty of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Co-organised by the American International Church and the International Community Church of Surrey together with the American Embassy and the US Armed Forces, some 2,000 Americans gather together for service at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Words of Gratitude on Thanksgiving

The Chargé d’affaires of the US extended his warmest Thanksgiving wishes with his opening remarks on gratitude, unity and the US/UK special relationship. The Hammond organ played whilst various hymns and anthems were beautifully sung by the choir, including “America the Beautiful.” Prayers and readings were led by various reverends all echoing the messages of generosity, gratitude, friendship and kindness. A group of high school students from various independent private schools around London joined the reverend in the reading of the Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession. 

The Sermon given by the Senior Pastor was a touching one, reminding us that we should not wait for this day to give thanks and show gratitude. Instead, gratitude should be part of our daily routine to keep us humble and grounded. Because if we wait, we may not ever get there. It was a lovely service under the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral. 

So much gratitude on this Thanksgiving day. From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.