Thanksgiving Celebrations

In 1621, as the story goes, the Pilgrims celebrated a time of thanksgiving for a successful harvest in the township of Plymouth located in the present-day state of Massachusetts.  Thanksgiving proclamations were continuously made throughout the years in our fledging country by church and civic leaders until after the Revolutionary War.  President George Washington declared the first nation-wide celebration in America marking November 26, 1789 “as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God.” * It was not until December 26, 1941 that President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into effect federal legislation that designated the fourth Thursday of November as the national Thanksgiving holiday.

Historically, Thanksgiving began as a tradition of celebration when thanks and honor was given to God for the harvest of the year. Over the years much of the sacred traditions of the holiday have given way to a secular version where family and friends gather around a big meal and enjoy each other’s company.  Once again here, please don’t get me wrong because these gatherings are a good thing.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the holidays celebrated each year where the far-flung members of families will travel great distances to be with their core units.  These are holidays that help to keep the family strong, thriving and intact.

I know for myself though, that this year I want to spend some time earnestly thanking my heavenly Father for all that He has done for my wife and I over the last 12 months since our last celebration of Thanksgiving.  God’s words such as those proclaimed by Samuel in 2 Samuel 22:31 saying, “God’s way is perfect!  The promise of the Lord has proven to be true.  He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him,” (God’s Word ©) have been the mainstay of our lives and have proven true over and over again.  I bet that I could fill out numerous pages in my note book if I were to write down the number of times where we have experienced the big as well as the little blessings of God.

In fact, you know what; I’m going to do just that this week!  Why don’t you join me in this activity?  Grab a sheet of paper, a notebook or one of the blank pages in the back of your Bible and make a list of all the times and places that God has shown up for you this last year.  It doesn’t matter how big or small you think the intervention may have been, just commit it to ink on the page.  Keep it close to you and make it a running list that you can continue to fill out up until Thanksgiving Day this Thursday.  Then separate some time away by yourself to spend in personal thanksgiving unto our Almighty God for what He has done for you. 

Here’s another thought… Why not place a blank sheet of paper and a pencil at the table setting for each of your guests that attend your holiday celebration.  Then start off the meal by asking each of them to make out their own lists during the dinner, as they think of the times of God’s intervention in their lives.  Then you can sit around the table or the living room after the big meal and share everyone’s lists with each other!  Now that sounds like a real Thanksgiving celebration to me… filling up your stomachs and your spirits as well!  Have a great week as you prepare and look forward to your celebrations of Thanksgiving.  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… What am I expecting TO BE THANKFUL FOR Today?”

 

*   Hodgson, Godfrey (2006).  A Great and Godly Adventure; The Pilgrims and the Myth of the First Thanksgiving.  New York: Public Affairs.  P. 167. 978-1-58648-373-9.