On your feet now—applaud God!
    Bring a gift of laughter,
    sing yourselves into his presence.
    Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD.
    He made us; we didn’t make him.
    We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
    Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
    Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
    Thank him. Worship him.
    For GOD is sheer beauty,
    All-generous in love,
    loyal always and ever.
            -Psalm 100 from the Message, translated by Eugene Peterson

     The imagery of Psalm 100 looks to the temple for its significance. The Jewish temple was constructed in a restrictive manner. There were a number of courtyards between its outer limits and the temple itself. Each of these courtyards was severed from the next by some type of barrier or wall. At each gate only people with certain qualities could gain entrance to the closer precincts of the temple. There was the Court of the Gentiles, the Women’s Court, the Court of Israel, the Priests’ Court, the Holy place and the Holy of Holies in succession. At each barrier gates existed through which the pilgrim could pass into the next precinct. In the same way, the Psalmist says that thanksgiving is the "gate" through which we must pass to gain entrance into God’s presence. Peterson’s translation of Psalm 100:4 is striking: "Enter with the password: 'Thank you!'"

     An attitude of gratitude is an important characteristic in the life of a disciple. When we take the time and energy to acknowledge God’s activity in our life, we unlock the gates of our barred hearts and enter into a more intimate communion with Jesus. So, as we celebrate our national holiday of Thanksgiving, may we loudly applaud God and give him our gift of our laughter and joy.