I don’t think I’d be going too far out on a limb to say most everyone reading this has seen A Charlie Brown Christmas at some point in their life. In fact you’ve probably also seen It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. But, how many of you have seen Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving? It’s probably not at the top of your holiday show list, but nestled between Snoopy’s goofy antics and Charlie Brown’s ho-hum attitude lies a special message for us. Here’s how the story goes. Charlie’s friends invite themselves over for Thanksgiving dinner. After a comic scene of head chef Snoopy constructing a delicious meal made out of toast, pretzel sticks, popcorn and jelly beans, Charlie’s friends sit down to feast. Things quickly turn sour when Peppermint Patty shares her outrage over the missing cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Marcie saves the day by reminding Peppermint Patty and all her friends that “good ole’ Chuck” has prepared a seat at the table for them and for that, they should be grateful.

For most of us, Thanksgiving will look different this year. We likely won’t be served feast of toast and popcorn like Charlie Brown’s friends, but we may be spending next Thursday at our own homes instead of with relatives. For me, this will be the first time in 38 years that I have not been with my extended family to share in my favorite holiday of the year. Many say that the virus that has consumed our thoughts and choices for the past 8 months is wreaking havoc on our beloved holiday. But guess what? Even though we may lament what Thanksgiving should have been this year, God has, as He always does, prepared seat for us at His Thanksgiving table. What will we do with that seat? Will we be a Peppermint Patty and question what’s served to us? Or a Marcie and be grateful for the blessings and gifts we have been given? I am choosing to be a Marcie, and I urge you my friends to join me and be a Marcie too.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – Written and Created by: Charles M. Schulz