“In America, we recently celebrated a beloved public holiday known as ‘Thanksgiving.’ Did you know that there is a similarly named day celebrated in Japan at the same time? It is called ‘Labor Thanksgiving Day.’ The origin of this day was an ancient festival to give thanks to the goddess of abundant crops. The emperor would offer new crops to the goddess and partake of some of them himself. The date November 23 was set in 1873. This custom continues today, primarily at the level of the imperial family partaking in the ceremony. After World War II, the day was redefined to celebrate production, being appreciative of the opportunity to work, and thanking each other. Being thankful for what you have is an important part of everyday Japanese life. However, the big question is: Whom should we thank? And, why? Join us in praying, ‘Lord, help the Japanese to know the Living God to the degree that they will praise this God from whom all blessings flow. Move Japanese Christians to thank the one true God for all of life so that He alone will receive the glory and honor for His abundant blessings showered upon all daily.”