Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

This is a month of Thanksgiving; not just the holiday but an attitude of the heart, the attitude of gratitude.  

As we ponder and reflect upon all the things that we have to be grateful for, let us include faith, family and freedom.  

One of my favorite hymns during this season is Come, Ye Thankful People, Come.  I love the words and their expanded meanings.  I share them with you in the spirit of gratitude for all that the Lord has given to me and my family.  We've experienced many hardships, as have many of you, but, through His goodness and grace we have been lifted up beyond our own understanding, cradled in His arms of mercy, and carried across a wilderness, but, not left alone.  We have much to be grateful for!

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

1. Come, ye thankful people, come;
   Raise the song of harvest home.
   All is safely gathered in
   Ere the winter storms begin.
   God, our Maker, doth provide
   For our wants to be supplied.
   Come to God's own temple, come;
   Raise the song of harvest home.
2. All the world is God's own field,
   Fruit unto his praise to yield,
   Wheat and tares together sown,
   Unto joy or sorrow grown.
   First the blade, and then the ear,
   Then the full corn shall appear.
   Lord of harvest, grant that we
   Wholesome grain and pure may be.
   
   
   Text: Henry Alford, 1810-1871
   Music: George J. Elvey, 1816-1893