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The History of Thanksgiving Day Let Us take care that, Paul’s prediction, “Men shall be… unthankful,” does not apply to us
Thanksgiving is mentioned in the Bible at least one hundred and
forty times. The word “praise” is used many more times. These two
words are somewhat synonymous. “praise” means to appraise,
appreciate, prize, consider precious and worthy of honor or
thanksgiving.
The Feast of the Tabernacles in the Old Testament was perhaps the
beginning of Thanksgiving Day. It was not for a day only, but for a
whole week
(Deut 16:13-15).
This Throughout the Old Testament these and
other occasions were arranged for thanksgiving and praise and for
offering up gifts unto the Lord for His goodness. David and Solomon
called special times of celebration and thanksgiving to God. After the
seventy years captivity Zerubbabel and Nehemiah called the people
together for thanksgiving to God. The early Christians, the Apostles and
their disciples were thankful to the Lord, not only on the Lord’s Day
but every day. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess 5:18).
Hence the feasts of thanksgiving days to God date back at least
3,500 years, or more than 1,500 years prior to the time of Christ.
Perhaps one secret of the comparative blessing upon Israel and the
Gentiles was that Israel was a more thankful people. However, there were
times when Israel failed miserably and lapsed in their faith and
devotion to God.
The early Britons, Saxons, Scots and other had thanksgiving days
in Europe from the earliest centuries, although not so generally
observed nor always designated as such nationally. In later centuries in
England the time was called “Harvest Home”.
In North American history the first Thanksgiving Day was held in
Newfoundland in 1578 by an English minister named Wolfall. Another was
held in Virginia in 1607. still another was held in Plymouth Colony in
1621 by the Pilgrims who were chiefly Puritans by faith. It is said
concerning that time at least ninety Indians partook of this celebration
with the Pilgrims. The feast is said to have continued three days.
Although subsequent thanksgiving days were celebrated, it was not
until President George Washington proclaimed Thanksgiving day on
November 26, 1789, that the celebration became an established custom. In
1859, after several appeals had been made by Sarah J. Hale, all but two
governors issued proclamations for Thanksgiving Day. She finally wrote
to President Abraham Lincoln, enclosing a copy of Washington’s
proclamation of 1789, and suggested that he appoint a national
Thanksgiving Day. At her suggestion the President proclaimed a national
Thanksgiving Day on July 15, after the battle of Gettysburg in 1863. It
was one of the decisive battles of the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln A Day to Thank GodThe 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 nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible the ever watchful providence of Almighty God…
No Human counsel hath derived 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, to set apart and observe
the last Thursday of November, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to
our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. Excerpts from the
October 1863 Proclamation.
It is now the custom of the United States to proclaim the last
Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day and to call upon its people to
give thanks to God for all benefits, both individual and national. It
has been urged from time to time that people gather in that day in
homes, churches, schoolhouses and public buildings for the purpose of
offering thanks to God, who is good to all our citizens.
“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known
his deeds among the people” (Ps
105:1). “Declare his glory among the heathen, continued from page
23, his wonders among all people” (Ps 96:3).
Other days of thanksgiving have
been called for particular occasions. There was a great drought and
depression in Minnesota around the years of 1874-77, and at the same
time a grasshopper plague. On April 27, 1877, Governor Pillsbury
proclaimed a state day of fasting and prayer. Multitudes gathered in
homes, schools, churches and other places to beseech God almighty to
lift the plague of grasshoppers. God heard their prayers and millions of
the grasshoppers died.
Then there was thanksgiving for lifting the curse from the
farmers of Minnesota and allowing for abundant crops again. That fall
they had a wonderful crop. God has been good to the citizens of
Minnesota, as indeed He has been to those of every place. Let us be
thankful to God and praise His holy and worthy name forever!
May the prediction of Paul that in the latter days “men shall
be…unthankful” not be applied to any of us who are blessed so
bountifully. Habakkuk (3:17-18):”Although
the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall the fruit be in the vines;
the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat;
the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in
the stalls: yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my
salvation”.
Let
Christians take courage and praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Then our hearts and minds will have a continual thanksgiving day. Thanksgiving
is remembered by many in our times,
“ Give thanks to the Lord for He is good” (Ps 107;1).
To a non-Christian,
it means a vacation from work – a holiday. It is a chance to get
together with good friends or family, watch ball games, and enjoy good
food. To the merchant, it signals the official beginning of the Christmas season, his busiest time of the year. Card and flower companies will have a heyday. The liquor industry alone will spend over $30 million in advertising between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.
To a child, it means a time to visit cousins, aunts and uncles,
and grandparents, and being forced to eat things made out of cranberries
and figs. And we all will do our part to help keep the turkey farmers in
business. Because of this secularization of thanksgiving, it has become popular in some religious circles to attack this worldly corruption of yet another Christian observance. But think about it for a minute: would we be better off with or without Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving needs to be used in our world
“ It is good thing to give thanks unto the Lord “ ( Ps 92:1).
We need to give thanks to God Because He command it!“
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good” (Ps 136:1). Because He is the Source and Sustainer of life!“All
things were created by Him, and for Him” (Col 1:16). Because He redeemed us from sin!“In
whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of
sins” (Col 1:14). Because He delights in bestowing His blessing upon us!“Blessed
be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits ”(Ps 68:19). Because we were made to glorify Him!“Thou
hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were
created” (Rev 4:11).
Thanksgiving Hands of Prayer
Whenever I think of man’s relationship to God through triumph,
tragedy, or Thanksgiving, I visualize the hands of prayer.
Fingertips toward heaven and the palms touching, the head bowed
in humility – this is the
position we take to communicate with God.
Physicians tell us that with hands together and the head bowed,
we are in a natural state of repose. Another kind of comfort is given to
us we worship.
Thanksgiving cards and decorations are often symbolized by
praying hands. Many associate Thanksgiving with the Pilgrim’s prayer
at the first Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving is truly more than just a
large meal.
As Bailey said,” And any heart turned God-ward feels more joy in
one short hour of prayer, than ever was raised by all the feast on
earth since its foundation.”
Other traditional images of Thanksgiving may reveal Pilgrims,
Indians, turkey, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. However, as much as
we love traditional images, there is a far greater magnitude to the
internal relationship we can feel in communication. To God through hands
of prayer.
In spite of the commercialization of this season into a holiday
by Wall street and Madison Avenue; in spite of the over-indulgence in
food and alcohol that will take place; in spite of the deaths that drunk
drivers will cause; in spite of the completely selfish, non-Christian
motivations of many people; is it not significant that for at least a
few days a year our entire society is reminded of the need to give
thanks to the Lord who gives all good gifts? Is this not a positive
influence on a society that has been increasingly shutting God out of
every area for over 50 years? Would it be better if we never paused to
give thanks on any day of the year?
Perhaps, Thanksgiving does not produce any changing results. I
suppose many will observe it without any religious significant
whatsoever .But traditions can serve as important reminders about the
truly important things in life. Traditions also connect us historically
to our roots.
Thanksgiving is a reminder to each of us that we are citizens of
a country founded by people of great courage and faith in God. That
faith led them to dedicate a day each year to return thanks to our
benevolent
Creator and Redeemer.
American Christians have been observing
this uniquely American religious tradition for 365 years. Our generation
stands in that tradition, and has the opportunity to re-affirm the
importance of being thankful, and returning credit to the only one to
whom credit is due.
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