A Thoughtful Look at Thanksgiving

In the Bible it is written, that “My people suffer for lack of knowledge.” That certainly applies with to the United States of America. As we look forward to yet another Christmas Season, traditionally the most wonderful time of the year commences during the Thanksgiving Day weekend. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It became an official holiday in 1863 when, during the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of “prayer, thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens” to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November.” However, there are some scholars who believe that the original Thanksgiving was signed by the Father of our country, George Washington.

The inspirational event that many Americans commonly call the “first Thanksgiving” was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in what was known then as the New World in 1621. That particular feast went on for three days and was attended by 90 American Indians and 53 Pilgrims (as accounted by a participant by the name of Edward Winslow.) The New England colonists were accustomed to celebrating Thanksgivings with days of prayer. They thanked God for blessings such as the merciful conclusion of a drought, a bountiful harvest, recovery from a dreaded illness, or a military victory.

In the year of 1620, the Pilgrims created a colony at Plymouth, in what is now known as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The motive of the Pilgrims was to create a political commonwealth governed by Biblical standards. The Mayflower Compact, their original governing document, clearly pronounced that what they had undertaken was for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith. William Bradford, the second governor of Plymouth remarked, “The colonists cherished a great hope and inward zeal of laying good foundations, for the propagations and advance of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in the remote parts of the world.

During the month of June in 1630, Governor John Winthrop arrived in Massachusetts Bay with 700 people packed in eleven small vessels. That was the official start of the great migration, which lasted sixteen years and witnessed more than 20,000 Puritans sail for New England. The Puritans so believed that “this New World would be a place to escape the corruptions in their own church-state in wilderness.” And” a city upon a hill.”

Because of the attitude of Thanksgiving amongst a majority of early American settlers and for generations afterward, the United States of America became known as the land of milk and honey. A place where a man could settle and prosper through the exercising of his God given abilities. Great men of American history like John Adams, George Washington, Frederick Douglas, and Abraham Lincoln often urged Americans to never allow themselves and thus our nation to be persuaded away from the blessed relationship between God and America.

Today, our republic has ventured off course and is rapidly heading toward a big crash on the ash heap of history. However, I am of the belief that because of a gradual awakening of many of our fellow countrymen and women seeking true heavenly guidance, our republic may avoid the worst possible scenario of destruction. There may now be a Providential course correction that may enable the United States to once again be that shining city on a hill, respected by allies and feared by our enemies.

We have but one wise choice, my fellow Americans. As a nation it wouldn’t hurt to take time to participate in true Thanksgiving, convert from our wicked ways and then watch the great turnaround toward national greatness. Be filled with gratitude and be blessed, not only this Thanksgiving, but every day.

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