A Thanksgiving sermon from 2015 captures how American families marked this holiday through both religious tradition and personal reflection. For centuries, grace and formal words have shaped how households gathered around the table, mixing spirituality with gratitude for the year's blessings.
The kitchen smells of turkey and sage. Around the table, heads bow as someone—a parent, a grandparent—reads aloud words both familiar and deeply felt. A child fidgets; an aunt closes her eyes. These moments, repeated in millions of homes each November, anchor families in something larger than themselves.
Reflect
What words or ritual do you use to pause and give thanks before eating with family?