One bishop shared that in his denomination, they had two harvest festivals. First in March and the other in October. The people there were blessed with two cycles of crops each year, hence, they express their gratefulness in joyful giving to the Lord. What about city people who are not connected to agriculture? Perhaps, they could celebrate the time when bonus is given to the employees of the government and various other private organizations! Business people could celebrate when they have the highest turnover season of the year. Gratitude is the attitude of believers, that could be expressed on special days and every day.
The festival of booths – Sukkot: It is also called the Festival of Ingathering. (Leviticus 23:39-43; Numbers 28:26-31) It is celebrated on the 15th of the month of Tishri (September-October) and is celebrated for seven days. In the synagogues, the Book of Ruth is read as the historical setting in harvest season. When the Temple existed, each day of Sukkot had a prescribed number of sacrificial offerings, daily recitation of Scripture, and other forms of cultural events like torch dancing, flute playing…etc. As a remembrance of their wanderings (suffering, deliverance, and faithfulness), the Jews were supposed to live in booths, which they erected on rooftops or gardens.
Toil: The work of a farmer is hard; one should have faith and patience. (II Timothy 2:6) To work in the field means hard physical work, under the sun, wind, soil, and water.
Faithfulness: God is faithful to allow the sun to shine on the righteous and unrighteous. Hence, in the world, agriculture continues to happen year after year. (Matthew 5:45-47) For His people there is additional mercy and grace. God protects the crop from damage, disease, and stunted growth.
Abundance: The festival is an expression of gratefulness for abundant blessings on their labor. Without his mercy, the generous sunlight, moisture, and air, no yield of crops. This abundance is also given to the poor by not cutting on the edges, and deliberately letting some gleanings fall. (Leviticus 23:22)
Do I consistently offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving? (I Thessalonians 5:18)