Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. It is a tradition that is uniquely American. What we normally think of as the first Thanksgiving was a feast put together by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in 1621, nearly 400 years ago. One attendee wrote that the feast lasted three days and was attended by 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims.
In 1782, Congress declared November 29th of that year, “…a day of SOLEMN THANKSGIVING to GOD for all of His mercies…” In 1789, President George Washington made a proclamation establishing the first Thanksgiving Day officially recognized by the newly formed United States of America. The proclamation stated that the day was, “…to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” Subsequent presidents also declared a day of thanksgiving, but it was Abraham Lincoln in 1863, during the Civil War, who proclaimed an annual day of Thanksgiving to God.
So the history of this holiday is rooted in our thankfulness for the blessings of God. Some have said that the commercialization of Easter and Christmas have left Thanksgiving as the most religious American holiday. One of the great benefits we have as Christians is that we know who to thank for all that is good in our lives. The anthem still rings true, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” A grateful heart has no room for fear, doubt, depression or self-pity. Gratitude strengthens our relationship with God.
May each person reading this (American citizen or not) have a blessed day of reflection and gratefulness for all that God has done not just tomorrow, but every day. As several of my Facebook friends have shared, “No matter how bad things get, there is always, always, always something for which to be thankful.”