Thanksgiving. The term is obviously a combination of two words, giving and thanks.

The first thanksgiving event can be traced to the 1600’s when the Pilgrims gave thanks for God’s mercy and care in bringing them though a brutal winter and loss of loved ones to celebrate the bounty of the food they had been able to grow.

We celebrate Thanksgiving as a national holiday on the last Thursday of November.

What do you know about how this holiday came about and some people responsible for this day being set aside to give thanks? Here is a brief and interesting review of some of that history. https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1901-1950/The-Thanksgiving-holiday/#:~:text=On%20Thursday%2C%20November%2026%2C%201789,1870%2C%20Congress%20followed%20suit%20by

If you read the article, you will see that Presidents Washington and Lincoln recommended that American citizens set aside the last Thursday of November as a day to give thanks to God. Did you happen to notice the years in which these proclamations were made?

The years were 1789 and 1863, significant dates in our nation.

What was the significance of Washington’s recommendation in 1789?

President Washington led the Continental Army to defeat the British, served as chairman of the 1783 convention in Philadelphia where the constitution was written, and served his first term as President. He had personally experienced the hand of God on the battlefield and in the often contentious meeting in Philadelphia to hammer out the magnificent document that has been the foundation of our republic for over 230 years. This great leader called on our young nation to observe a day of ” public prayer and thanksgiving.” 1789 was one year after the ratification of our constitution in 1788!

Fast forward 74 years to 1863. What was going on then?

We were in a great battle that threatened to destroy our country. Many believe, as did President Lincoln, that the Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the War Between the States. Although 50,000 American lives were lost, this Union victory was crucial in securing the unity of the nation. Amid the great loss of life, Lincoln saw reason to proclaim a day to thank God for the preservation of our country. You can read more here https://www.nps.gov/liho/learn/historyculture/lincoln-and-thanksgiving.htm#:~:text=Abraham%20Lincoln’s%20Thanksgiving%20Proclamation,-In%20July%201863&text=On%20October%203%2C%201863%2C%20with,a%20day%20of%20Thanksgiving…

So, when did Thanksgiving become an “official” national holiday? In 1870 Congress passed legislation making Thanksgiving, along with Christmas, July 4, and January 1 national holidays.

Thanksgiving became a national holiday because presidents and legislators saw the hand of God at critical turning points in our nation. They saw evidence of Almighty God at work in the affairs of this country and took action to memorialize His care in a national holiday.

I am grateful for leaders like Washington, Lincoln, and others who openly acknowledge the goodness of God and his blessings upon our nation. We have drifted far from the sense of dependence and trust in God that many of our founders readily acknowledged. I believe it is only by the mercy of God that we continue to exist, even as a shadow of what those who sacrificed to birth our nation envisioned for us.

Setting aside a national holiday such as Thanksgiving does not make us thankful. We have seen unchecked arrogance and pride among our national leaders. Pride and power have replaced the humility that seeks wisdom and common sense. We are experiencing a division of purpose that has not been seen since the War Between the States. 

Many of us are hopeful that the recent election of new leadership in Washington, D.C. will solve several of our problems, but we must remember to seek the healing of the soul of our country. The underlying cancer that is eating away at the soul of our nation is our rebellion against God and his teachings. We must return to the God of Washington and Lincoln and acknowledge our dependence on the Lord. 

 We need a revival of faith and trust in God. Politicians may be able to fix some of the issues that make us uncomfortable, and I hope they will.  But, God’s people must act like we believe in God and align our lives and actions to conform to His will. We are the salt and light of the world, the preservative and the light in a world system that fights to exalt human pride and eliminate God from our daily and national lives.

My suggestion to us is that we live gratefully every day. Begin your days by acknowledging your life is a gift from God. Remember how He has seen you through difficult times, thank him for how he works in your life today, and trust him for how he makes good come from everything he allows to happen to you. Don’t wait for another Thanksgiving to muster up some half-baked prayers that are not heartfelt. No, make every day a Thanksgiving Day, and when the national holiday comes around you will be in good practice to celebrate it as you should.

Pray for our nation. We desperately need a revival. That is significantly more important than high gas prices, inflation, and the myriad of issues we face. 

My book can help you develop a spirit of thankfulness as you realize how much God loves you and what he has done to give you a relationship with him.

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