11/27/2024
This week we celebrate that most American of holidays – Thanksgiving. The Continental Congress proclaimed the first national thanksgiving in 1777. A day of thanksgiving was set aside by George Washington in 1789, during the first year of his presidency and the first year under our Constitutional government. In 1863, during wartime, Abraham Lincoln also issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation, and after noting the various blessings the nation had received, stated: "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, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to 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."
The origins of the holiday date back to 1621, when the Pilgrims of Massachusetts celebrated a feast in acknowledgment of their survival through a harsh winter and God's grace in sustaining them through that difficult year. Governor Edward Winslow, in a letter dated December 11, 1621, wrote the following account: "[O]ur harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a more special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruit of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the company almost a week, at which time amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest King Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain, and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."
To the Pilgrims, the celebration was more than just a feast. It was confirmation that their adventure was blessed by God. Writing of their arrival, William Bradford stated, "What could now sustain them but the spirit of God and his grace? May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and he heard their voice, and looked on their adversity. let them therefore praise the Lord, because he is good, and his mercies endure for ever."
As we gather with families and friends this week, remember to give thanks to the One Who deserves all praise. "Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts."
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
The office will be closed Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, in observance of the holiday.
