Thankfulness isn’t just a seasonal tradition—it’s a spiritual posture rooted deep in Scripture and woven through history. Psalm 100:4 calls us to enter God’s presence with gratitude, a theme that began long before American holidays and continues to shape the way believers respond to God’s goodness today. From Old Testament thank offerings to the Pilgrims’ courageous faith, we’re reminded that gratitude grows strongest in hearts that remember God’s faithfulness through every circumstance. Highlights Biblical thanksgiving began with offerings of gratitude long before modern celebrations. Leviticus and 2 Chronicles reveal how God invited His people to display thankfulness through worship. America’s Thanksgiving tradition is deeply influenced by the Pilgrims’ commitment to biblical truth. Despite tremendous suffering, the Pilgrims lived out 1 Thessalonians 5:18 by giving thanks in all circumstances. Historical accounts show how miraculous their survival truly was—only a fraction lived to see the first feast. The Pilgrims’ perseverance helped lay the foundation for a national day dedicated to thanking God. Leaders like Washington and Lincoln carried forward the tradition of national gratitude to the Lord. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Cultivating a Heart Full of Thanksgiving By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name”—Psalm 100:4 Offering thanksgiving didn’t begin in America; it began in the Bible, taught to humankind by a loving and gracious God who is deserving and worthy of our gratitude, and to receive thankfulness that comes from hearts truly grateful for all He has done and is still doing in our lives and in our nation. Thanksgiving to God, often associated with food offerings, began in the Bible. As early as Leviticus 7:12, we read how God instructed, “If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in.” Again, in 2 Chronicles 29:31, the King calls for the people to give thanks. “Then Hezekiah said, ‘You have now dedicated yourselves to the Lord. Come and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the temple of the Lord.’ So the assembly brought sacrifices and t

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