”We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good, if bad, because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal [home]." — C.S. Lewis
THE HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING
The Pilgrims lived in England with no religious freedom. They wanted to find a place that gave them the freedom of religion, to read the Bible, and to escape secularism—so they came to America. After arriving in 1620, they survived a difficult beginning with the help of several Indians who befriended them. Intending to live in the area where they landed, they approached the local tribe to purchase it and the price was set by the Indians. Written documentation of the sale was received for the purchased land—this became a general practice.
The very first Thanksgiving happened in 1621 when the Pilgrims and Indians gathered and spent three days together. The record shows that not only were they feasting together, but they had shooting and wrestling competitions, and other athletic events.
The Pilgrims lived in harmony with the Wampanoags and they shared a mutually beneficial relationship. Their peace treaty lasted from 1621, through 1623 (the Massachusetts’ tribe surprise assault on the Pilgrims) and 1637 (a war caused by the Pequot’s aggressiveness toward other tribes in regards to their trading monopolies). The long peace treaty collapsed in 1675 (King Philip’s War) which took place because the chief of the Wampanoag Indians recognized that missionaries were converting Indians to Christianity.
Prior to becoming Christians, Indians engaged in immoral practices such as the prolonged barbarous torture of captives. Missionaries sought to end such practices by converting Indians and teaching them Christian morals. Fearing that Christianity would change Indian culture, their chief launched a surprise assaults against settlers in the region to exterminate all English colonists. However, this war cannot be accurately characterized as Indians versus English because many of those attacked were Christian Indians. They, like the settlers, were targeted, hurt, or killed by their unconverted brethren. The converted Indians fought side-by-side with the colonists.
This all is not to say that land was never stolen from Indians. During westward expansion that began in the early nineteenth century, the Indian removal policies of Andrew Jackson (the founder of the Democrat party) violated private property rights by forcibly driving Indians from their lands. As a result, the Biblical view of purchasing private property was replaced with the anti-Biblical notion that “possession was nine-tenths of the law.” The 19th century deterioration between Americans and Indians over unjust land seizures occurred two centuries after the Pilgrims. The original treaty the Pilgrims negotiated with the Indians lasted for 54 years until the Indians broke it in King Philip’s War. Any action from the Pilgrims occurred in self-defense against perfidious unprovoked attacks.
THANKSGIVING TODAY
Not just today, but everyday, we should take time to reflect on all the reasons we have to be truly thankful. We are thankful to God for every provision and circumstance because we know that He works all things for our good. We are thankful to God for all people—even those who hate us—because we trust in God’s perfect plan and saving redemption. We are thankful to God whether we have the most or the least because we know that we’re sinful beings who are undeserving and that God gives to us in grace and mercy.
From the Thanksgiving Proclamation signed by George Washington, President of the United States of America, October 3, 1789:
“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
Dear Lord.
Lord God, King of the Universe. We know that every good and perfect gift is from above—from you, the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17). Thank You for always providing for us. The clothes on our backs, the food and drink within us all, and the roof over our heads—they all come from you. Thank You for strengthening us. We can brave through life’s difficulties and stand tall during various trials because you sustain us. Thank You for family who love and care for us. We have learned the best and hardest lessons from them. Thank You for the friends you have placed in our lives. They sharpen us, encourage us, and support us. Thank You for our health. For mobility, mental clarity, and the ability to communicate. Thank You for our safety. Through the troubles that lay ahead, just as there are now in this broken world. Thank You for Your Son and Your Word. They are crucial in our lives. Your Word instructs us and Your Son died for us—among other things. You teach us the fundamental Truth through these. We are grateful that we know we are not alone and that You are there through the trials and triumphs, that You share in our joys and our heartaches. We thank You for Your mercy, grace, precious love, righteousness, justice—we thank You for who You are. We pray for humbleness to understand that deeper now than we have before.
Amen.
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Humility. Thankfulness. Not just today, but everyday, we should take time to reflect on all the reasons we have to be truly thankful. We are thankful to God for every provision and circumstance because we know that He works all things for our good. We are thankful to God for all people—even those who hate us—because we trust in God’s perfect plan and saving redemption. We are thankful to God whether we have the most or the least because we know that we’re sinful beings who are undeserving and that God gives to us in grace and mercy.
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