Lectionary Preaching Workbook
The liturgical clue comes from the secular calendar, rather than the church year - with an assist from the liturgy itself, which celebrates the death and resurrection of our Lord as Eucharist, or thanksgiving. In the United States, the occasion often falls between the last two Sundays of November, since it comes on the fourth Thursday of the month. (In Canada, Thanksgiving occurs in October.) The Eucharist celebrates the gift of redemption and eternal life through Jesus Christ; thanksgiving celebrates God's gifts in the goodness of creation.