From Thanksgiving to Joyfulness: Winter holidays help give us meaning, renewal

  • Published
  • By Chaplain Major, William W. Cooper, Jr.
  • 436th Airlift Wing Chaplain
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  On November 25, 2015, Airman First Class Raynard Hughes read a prayer of thanksgiving by Naomi King at the Dover Ecumenical Thanksgiving service. During the reading, he stated these thoughtful words, "We wish for the abundance of this world to be shared, for fear to become love, for the lonely to feel welcomed, and for the suffering to know rest and joy." I believe in so many ways, this excerpt from the prayer is a reminder of how the winter holidays help give our lives meaning and renewal. Furthermore, when I reflect on all of the winter holidays, I see how they can actually set the tone for a positive outlook that may even help with resilience.

Thanksgiving is a time where we as Americans have historically paused to give thanks. The acts of giving thanks vary from individual to individual or from family to family. However, as veterans we are also challenged to reflect and remember those who have fought to help us have the freedom, liberty and peace that prompt us to be thankful. Whether it be the Navajo code talkers during World War II whose unique language codes used to combat the enemy was never broken, or the Tuskeegee Airmen who courageously helped bombers advance into enemy territory or the men and women of more recent conflicts and deployments, we have much that we know of that leads us to be thankful. One Sioux Indian tribe gave thanks to God in celebration of Thanksgiving for four full days, remembering all of the earth, plants, water, trees, animals and the creator.

As the Christmas season approaches, we should continue to be thankful because of the gifts that were given to the world many generations ago. For instance, when we think about Christmas, we often think about caroling and gift giving. Many children around the world think about Saint Nicholas or Santa Clause. Also countless numbers of people across the globe think about the gift of the baby Jesus.


The words that Airman Hughes spoke are so profound because the original Saint Nicholas, who was actually a real person, became known for his tireless efforts to help the poor and less fortunate. Nicholas was a caring, giving man that spent his entire life helping children and families who were in need. After he died, he was made a Saint and today we know him as Santa Clause.


Even before Nicholas, the parents of the baby Jesus struggled at times and most certainly were fearful and lonely. Yet with a prayer of thanksgiving and a wish for abundance their fears, loneliness and suffering were met by love and a welcoming spirit that helped them find rest and joy.  The gift that they helped to give was perhaps the greatest gift that the world has ever known.


As the remaining winter holidays approach, I realize that by being thankful and reflecting on the importance of giving, I am more likely to be joyful. By being joyful, I believe that anyone is more likely to be resilient and better able to deal with the changes, concerns and even difficulties that will inevitably come in the new year.