A: I have always appreciated your cultural tradition of Thanksgiving Day, a family event set aside to thank the Lord for His blessings and many graces received throughout the year. Your tradition started around the 16th or 17th century. Early Hebrew-Christians in the Holy Land in particular, and other Christians in the East in general, had a similar tradition that grew from Jewish customs at the Temple.
In early October, Christians brought the first fruits of their harvest to the church as a tithe to praise the Lord for the land and it’s yield. They traditionally brought four types of branch offerings:
A fresh branch from a green tree, just the green, as a sign of life
A green branch with fruit, to symbolize a fruitful life
A fragrant green branch without fruit, as a sign of a life based upon God's pleasant creation and one's good character that is shared with others
A green branch with both fragrant and edible fruit; the best of both good products
These items were a witness to a life of goodness, with aromatic charity and excellent fruit. During the celebration, the question would be asked, “Which kind of branch would you like to be in your daily life?”
In this season of Thanksgiving, we may ask ourselves the same question. I leave the answer to you!
Fr. Kamal, November 26, 2020