When someone says “Thank you,” the customary and polite response is, “You’re Welcome!” That only makes sense, right? So, it would seem entirely appropriate that the day after “Thanksgiving” is “You’re Welcome-giving.” At least, that’s how it seemed to Ann Arbor, Michigan holiday creator, Richard Ankli. He is also the creator of Sourest Day and the rhyming May Ray Day. National Welcome-giving day has been a “thing” since 1977.
When someone serves you or does something nice for you, the polite thing to do is offer a heartfelt you’re welcome. “However, in other languages, “you’re welcome” doesn’t translate so well. The plural and singular “you” is part of the problem. Also, in some languages, the phrase is unknown altogether. Variations of a response to a show of appreciation exist all over the world, but “you’re welcome” as a polite social necessity seems to only exist in English.”1
For instance, in Spanish, someone might say, “Gracias.” The common Spanish response is “de nada.” De nada doesn’t mean you’re welcome. It literally means “of nothing” and is interpreted as it was nothing or our casual American response might be “no problem, think nothing of it.” In a fancy, more refined setting, “Gracias” might be answered with a Chick-fil-A response: es mi placer (my pleasure!).
Pastor Ricky Kurth, writing for The Berean Bible Society, has a good observation on this topic. He writes, “When I was a boy, I was taught that if someone says “thank you,” the polite way to respond is to say, “You’re welcome.” In recent years I have noticed that “you’re welcome” has been replaced by “no problem,” or “not a problem.” I’m not sure why this vexes me, but in true Andy Rooney-like fashion, it does!
“Maybe it is because, if we think it through, this response isn’t nearly as good. Saying “you’re welcome” after a kindness means that the person who did you the kindness feels that you are a good person who is welcome to such kind treatment. “No problem” just says, “Being kind to you didn’t inconvenience me;” it says nothing of your worthiness to be treated so well.
“If God were speaking aloud these days, one wonders how He would respond when we thank Him for all the spiritual blessings we have in Christ (Eph. 1:3). I doubt He would say, “No problem, being kind to you didn’t inconvenience Me,” for the price He paid at Calvary to procure these blessings was too high. We feel He would rather respond to our thanks with, “You are welcome to such blessings.” Of course, we are not worthy of these blessings because we are good people in ourselves, but rather because of who He has made us in Christ. As difficult as it is for humble Christians to accept, now that we are children of God, we are welcome to the same treatment from God that He gives His own Son. As Paul put it, we are “joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17), and so “how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (v. 32).”
Today, if someone says “thank you,” give them a polite “you’re welcome.” But, might I suggest that we add, “Praise the Lord!” Philippians 1:9-11 reminds us of this truth. “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; (10) That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; (11) Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”
1https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/your-welcomegiving-day-day-after-thanksgiving
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