Thankful For Thanksgiving

"Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107:8-9

We just celebrated Thanksgiving. This is probably just me, but I don't like the term "celebrate" connected to Thanksgiving. Don't misunderstand. I have nothing against the term "celebrate." It conveys the idea of happiness, merriment, and joy, all good things. But Thanksgiving, it seems to me, should be more on the serious side, more purposeful and reflective. It is arguably the most noble holiday we have in this country.

"But wait a minute," you say. "What about Christmas? What about the birth of our Savior?" That's a good question and we'll deal with it more in coming weeks. But for the sake of an immediate answer to a worthy question, there are two things that degrade Christmas.

One is that it owes its existence to pagan cultures from which it came to life. Please note, I did not say Christmas is pagan. What I am saying is that Christmas has significant roots in paganism, attaching to it a secular side that makes it less noble. The second problem afflicting Christmas is an offshoot of the first. The secular side of Christmas has led to an uncontrolled commercialization of it that overshadows the noble qualities it possesses. (Easter finds itself in the same situation, but to a lesser degree. Independence Day is on a different level with no religious connection involved.)

The history of Thanksgiving begins with the Plymouth Colony in 1621. After their arrival in the new world, the pilgrims seeking religious freedom went through some time of want and scarcity. In fact, about half of the original number that crossed the Atlantic died in the first year. When they reached the point of being able, with the interaction of those native to the new world, to sustain their existence they observed the first observation of a "feast" of thanksgiving.

Over a century and a half later, 1789, George Washington issued a formal proclamation making November 26 of that year an official public day of recognition to and service to God. His words are instructive.

"Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor -- and whereas . . . Congress [has] . . . requested me to recommend . . . a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of an Almighty God especially by affording [us] an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for [our] safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next

to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be -- That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks . . ."

Three quarters of a century later it was Abraham Lincoln's turn to issue a formal proclamation. His proclamation, made in October of 1863 in the midst of the Civil War, established Thanksgiving as a national holiday although some fine tuning was needed along the way. Lincoln also gave a speech in March of 1863 proclaiming a day of national humility that is very interesting. However, that speech, while related, was not about Thanksgiving, so instead of placing it here, I will place the entire speech (not that long, this was Lincoln, remember) on the Trying to Walk Facebook page for those interested in reading it. (You really should read it, too.) Here is the October speech (abbreviated, and with a tad of commentary) that called for a national day of Thanksgiving.

"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful

fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone

to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which

are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the

heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

. . . [At this point Lincoln lists many of these added blessings and then continues] . . .

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great

things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States . . . set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national

perverseness and disobedience . . . implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation . . ."

What we refer to as the "first thanksgiving" in 1621 at Plymouth Colony, the Thanksgiving Proclamation by George Washington, and the Thanksgiving Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln seem to be the seminal events in the development of Thanksgiving into the holiday we observe in the 21st century. It seems non-controversial to assume that with this history, Thanksgiving is our most noble observation of the year. Its stated purpose is to recognize and show appreciation (even obedience) to Almighty God. It seems we should have more days such as this. The lack of commercialization is just an added perk to be thankful for. (Oh yes, and the food.)