In recent years I have become grateful for the entire holiday season that extends from Thanksgiving through Christmas. That may seem like an odd thing to be grateful for, but it occurred to me that here in the United States and other countries where a Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in autumn, the proximity of two cherished occasions can be a very special time of the year. 

In the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy includes “space for repentance” in her spiritual definition of year (p. 598). While the “space” between Thanksgiving and Christmas is only about a month in some countries, perhaps one can consider this a space or opportunity to humbly gain a greater understanding of God and His Christ. 

As the season starts off with a wonderful time of thanksgiving, no matter what we may have faced this year, we can spend time in deep communion with God—praising, glorifying, and giving thanks to God for being Truth and Love as well as our Life. This coincides with Christ Jesus’ actions; for example, he gave thanks to God before raising Lazarus from the dead and before feeding multitudes with a few fish and loaves of bread. He continually gave thanks to God and walked in a consciousness or awareness of God, good. And we, too, can maintain a mental altitude of thanksgiving, leaving us prepared for new spiritual awakenings, insights, renewals, and healing throughout the season.