Ten Great Thanksgiving Songs By Contemporary Christian Music Artists

Autumn is my favorite time of year. Even our Texas autumn has a special warmth and beauty unlike other seasons. And, of course, it has Thanksgiving Day -- my favorite holiday. Thanksgiving lets me visit my loved ones, including extended family, like no other holiday can. We love, laugh, and dine together as we cherish our blessings and remember their source.

Often called "a holiday for all Americans," Thanksgiving offers something for everyone -- great food (and even better desserts), Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, college football, Miracle on 34th Street, and Black Friday, which heralds the Christmas shopping season.

For Christians, however, Thanksgiving is more than a feast of food, fellowship, and football. This annual celebration is a reminder of God's faithfulness, provision, and protection in our lives. But it's more than naming our blessings one by one. Thanksgiving is a special time to praise God, the source of all our blessings. It presents a public opportunity to honor God, sing His praise, and recognize His hand at work in our lives.

Music plays an important role in my family's Thanksgiving celebrations. Songs minister to our hearts in a profound way, and we often worship God through song -- on Thanksgiving and throughout the year. This hub showcases some of my family's favorite Christian songs of thanksgiving.

Does your family celebrate Thanksgiving with music? What songs do you sing to the Lord and to each other? Tell us about them in the comments section below.

"Blessed Be Your Name" is a popular praise song written by Matt Redman, an English worship leader and songwriter.

I like the cover by Tree63, a South African Christian music band. The "63" in the band's name makes reference to Psalm 63.

"Blessed Be Your Name" sings of plenty and abundance: "Blessed be your name / In the land that is plentiful / Where your streams of abundance flow / Blessed be your name."

When I hear the song, I can do nothing but offer thanks and praise to God: "Every blessing you pour out / I'll turn back to praise."

"Doxology" is a short hymn of praise to the Holy Trinity: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Many Christians sing a doxology during or after a worship service. The tradition has its roots in a similar Jewish practice.

Several musicians have recorded "Doxology" as a single or album track. I like the David Crowder recording.

The "Doxology" lyrics are actually the last verse of "Awake, My Soul, And With The Sun." This longer hymn was written by Thomas Ken, a 17th century Anglican priest. Here are the words:

"Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow / Praise Him, all creatures here below / Praise Him above, ye heavenly host / Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

"Enough" is a song of thanksgiving and sufficiency in Christ. Many Christians sing this song during contemporary worship services.

Chris Tomlin, an award-winning singer and songwriter, wrote "Enough." Other Christian musicians have covered the song, but I like Tomlin's version.

"All of you is more than enough for all of me / For every thirst and every need / You satisfy me with your love / And all I have in You is more than enough." What better way to sing our thanksgiving to God?

"For These Reasons" is a worship ballad by Lincoln Brewster, a Christian singer and guitarist. His words of thankfulness, adoration, and love make "For These Reasons" a perfect choice for Thanksgiving music celebrations.

"For Your endless love / For the life You gave / For the second chance / For Your priceless grace / For Your healing hands / For the gift of peace / For the blessed hope / And for the faith to believe."

For these reasons (and so many other rich and wonderful blessings), we praise and worship God our King.

"Forever" is another great song by Chris Tomlin. This popular praise song -- used in Christian worship services across the country -- explores the themes of thanksgiving, celebration, faithfulness, and assurance.

Do Tomlin's lyrics sound familiar? The song grew out of Psalm 136.

"Give thanks to the Lord, our King and God / His love endures forever / For He is good, He is above all things / His love endures forever / Sing praise, sing praise."

"The Only Thing That's Beautiful In Me" is a new way to celebrate Thanksgiving through music. The song was created by Rush of Fools, a relatively new band in contemporary Christian music.

Addressing the beauty and blood of Jesus Christ, "The Only Thing That's Beautiful In Me" draws inspiration from Psalm 30.

"Just like a mountain peak / You lift me up / Just like a desert stream / You fill my cup / And like a heart that beats / You are the blood that covers me / You cover me."

As a sinner in a fallen world, I am so grateful for the covering of Christ. How can I express my thanks? Simply, like the song: "Thank you, Lord, thank you."

"Thank You" is a very popular Christian ballad by Hillsong, an Australian church known internationally for its praise and worship music. The simple song gives thanks, praise, honor, and glory to Jesus:

"Thank You for Your kindness / Thank You for Your mercy / Thank You for the cross / Thank You for the price you paid ...

"Thank You for salvation / Thank You for unending grace / Thank You for Your hope / Thank You for this life You gave."

"Thank You For Saving Me" is a slow ballad by Delirious?, an English band formerly known as The Cutting Edge Band. One of their best-loved songs, it's an appropriate selection for Thanksgiving and Easter celebrations.

As the song title implies, "Thank You For Saving Me" follows the themes of thanksgiving and salvation:

"Mercy and grace are mine, forgiven is my sin / Jesus my only hope, the Saviour of the world / "Great is the Lord" we cry / God let your kingdom come / Your word has let me see / Thank you for saving me!"

"Thank You, Lord" is a great song of thanksgiving. It is somewhat different from the other songs on my list, with its upbeat country style. The Don Moen recording of "Thank You, Lord" is a good one, but I like the Paul Baloche version best.

"I come before You today, and there's just one thing that I want to say / Thank You, Lord, thank You, Lord for all You've given to me, for all the blessings that I cannot see." It's the perfect song of gratitude and praise for a family Thanksgiving celebration.

Matt Redman's "This Is How We Know" rounds out my list of ten great songs of thanksgiving by contemporary Christian music artists.

"This Is How We Know" is a beautiful praise song of love, sacrifice, and salvation. It is not necessarily a "thanksgiving song," but it certainly expresses the best reason for giving thanks to the Lord.

"For You so loved the world / That You gave Your only Son / Love amazing, so divine / We will love You in return ...

"For this life that You give / For this death that You have died / Love amazing, so divine / We will love You in reply, Lord."

From my family to yours, have a beautiful, blessed, and joyous Thanksgiving Day!

© Annette Smith. All rights reserved.

• "Count Your Blessings" With This Beloved Thanksgiving Song
• "We Gather Together" To Sing Our Thanksgiving And Praise
• Three Great Christmas Songs By Contemporary Christian Music Artists
• The Ten Most Popular Christmas Songs Of The 2010 Holiday Season

If you enjoyed reading this article about Christian Thanksgiving songs, please leave a comment below and tell us what you liked about it. Then share the article with your family and friends.

To read more from this author, see her profile page for the latest, hottest, and best. Or join HubPages to publish your own material. It's fun, it's FREE, and you can even earn money along the way.