It is commonly believed that the first Thanksgiving celebration took place in 1621. This feast was attended by both Pilgrims and Indians who joined together to thank God for their bountiful harvest of the previous year.
What I love about the first Thanksgiving feast is how both the Pilgrims and Indians put aside their differences and sat together, unified, recognizing where their plenty came from.
Of course, that was just the beginning. It wasn't until 1863 when Abraham Lincoln declared the first Thanksgiving holiday to be official. The last Thursday in November, a day that was set aside for Americans to give thanks to God for the blessings He has bestowed upon America.
And since then, Presidents and leaders have continued in the quest to adopt what the Pilgrims and Indians tried to set before us. Be unified and thankful on at least this one day of the year.
“Now, therefore, I, George Bush, president of the United States of America, do hereby call upon the American people to observe Thursday, November 22, 1990, as a National Day of Thanksgiving and to gather together in homes and places of worship on that day of thanks to affirm by their prayers and their gratitude the many blessings God has bestowed upon us.” - George Bush Thanksgiving Day proclamation of 1990
There is no doubt in my mind that historically, Thanksgiving is a day set aside to give thanks to God for His blessings. I don't know if the younger generation is being reminded of the history behind this great holiday, but as I gather around the table with my family this Thanksgiving, I want to remember not only the blessings of God this past year, but His blessings that have come down generation after generation.
Today is THANKFUL THURSDAY and today of all days, I am truly thankful to God for His blessings. I hope you enjoy this day with your family and that His blessings will not go unrecognized ...not only today, but from generation to generation, until He comes again.
Hope you have a wonderful day! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteBethany
Thanking God for each and every gift no matter how beautiful, how ugly, for He makes all things beautiful in His time.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
I am blessed by your love, and precious ministry.
ReplyDeleteWonderful & interesting post! May we thank God each day for His many blessings. Thanks for hosting, and hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered... why is your Thanksgiving on a Thursday?? Why didn't they make it the last Friday of November? What was special about Thursday? Or why hasn't tradition changed so that it's observed on Friday rather than Thursday? Now, of course, with Black Friday, I'm sure that won't happen, but I'm just really curious about the choosing of the day!!
Our Canadian Thanksgiving is always the first Monday of October ~ which makes so much more sense as far as holiday long weekends go! ;) It's so much earlier because our harvest season ends so stinkin' early, thanks to our harsher climate. :P