Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving was still two weeks in the future, and Christmas  a month beyond that, and no snow on the ground, but it made no difference.  A cast of 25 brought joy to a packed house at a Middle School auditorium on two successive nights Nov 14 and 15.  The case is pictured below, and all details in the link to the program (below).

Charlie Brown Christmas cast 11 14 25

Taking their bows, Nov. 14, 2025

The stage was filled with enthusiastic special people – all “A” list stars!  In the audience, family and friends.  Up on stage was my Heather, standing out in her brilliant yellow costume playing Woodstock.  Her housemate Julie, also on stage, played Peppermint Patty.  There was not a dull moment and, of course, a standing ovation at the end, and afterward the cast mingled with their admirers.

One possibly could have come to this performance in a down mood, for whatever reason.  It would be hard to maintain the mood – the stage players  – all of them – gave their all to play their part.

I’ll be watching for Charlie Brown Christmas on TV this season.  For those of us lucky to be in the seats a week ago, it will have stiff competition this year.

All best to everyone for a great Thanksgiving, and a kind and gentle Christmas season.

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Teachable moments:

A week or so ago, Chuck sent a very meaningful Thanksgiving prayer with a recommendation: “I suggest passing this prayer around your thanksgiving dinner…each person read one part: Iroquois Thanksgiving.”  [here is a verbal explanation by an elder]

Last Sunday at Basilica was the final Sunday in the Liturgical year, the feast of Christ the King.  This coming Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent culminating in the celebration of the Birth of Christ: Christmas.

There is nothing new with these.  They’ve been part of the church calendar my entire life.  Here’s what wikipedia says about Christ the King.

This year, more so than any I can recall, the word “king” has had a spotlight placed on it, much more on the temporal than the liturgical or theological sense.  “No kings” comes to mind – something I proudly participate in and support.

At Basilica, every Sunday, the handout we all receive when we arrive is what I would call a newsletter, and each Sunday it includes a column written by someone in the parish, perhaps pastor, perhaps someone else.  The thoughts are always thought provoking and I always read them.

On Christ the King Sunday, the column was written by a hero of mine, a champion of social justice, Janice Andersen.  I’d invite you to read her thoughts for reflection.  Here’s Janice’s “Choose Love”: Janice Andersen Choose Love 11 23 25

POSTNOTE: There have been several comments added to the post on Ken Burns American Revolution.  Take a look, here.  I encourage more comments to continue the conversation.

COMMENTS:

from MaryEllen: Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and family. The Charlie Brown performance and Janice Anderson’s essay were a great way to start the day. Thanksgiving is the best holiday!

from Lois:  The First Thanksgiving of 1621 is a foundational moment in American history, symbolizing both the challenges faced by early settlers and the importance of cooperation with Indigenous peoples. While it has evolved into a national holiday celebrated in November, the true nature of the event reflects a more complex and nuanced history than the modern narrative suggests.

Hi Dick,

I found this after a quick search and realized the symbolism part just needs a few words changed – early settlers TO “all the people in the world” and the same for “Indigenous peoples”.

My thanks to you for the wonderful thoughts of your messages and even the interesting responses of variety in positions others have of situations.

May our Minnesota winter be tolerable and we experience good outcomes to our lives as problems are solved.