Thanksgiving

Facts and Reflections

We all learned in our early school years about the first Thanksgiving held in 1621. The Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoags shared a three day autumn feast. History tells us the tradition of this celebration had various dates in November for many years. On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to take place each year on November 26. In 1942, FDR changed the date to the fourth Thursday of November, where it has remained ever since.

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

According to historians, the first Thanksgiving probably didn’t even include turkey. More likely in included venison, fish, eel, duck, goose, cooked pumpkin and cranberries. Today, we Americans, eat about 46 million turkeys that day. We enjoy our pumpkin pureed with cream, sugar, and eggs. Our cranberries today are more like a jam. The jello salad with Cool Whip wasn’t part of that first Thanksgiving either.

Today’s Thanksgiving Table looks very different than it did in 1621.

In 1920, Gimbels in Philadelphia, held their first parade with around fifty people, complete with Santa at the end of the procession. Since 1924, Macy’s has sponsored a Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Today’s gatherings come in all shapes and sizes, even deviating from celebrating on Thanksgiving Day. Some families gather on the holiday, and others days before or after. Blended families become creative in establishing their own unique day and way of celebrating. When children marry, more families vie for their presence. It can get complicated.

Regardless of what I eat or where I sit this Thursday, I want to reflect on the meaning of thanksgiving. Being grateful takes intention, especially with so much worrisome news competing for my attention.

Whenever my attitude goes south, as it can so easily, I turn to the promises of God in my Bible. There, I can find so many reasons to give thanks. Here’s a couple, but there are so many more. Perhaps, you would be willing to share one of your favorites in the comments below.

Psalm 100: 4-5 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good, His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.” New American Standard Bible

1 Chronicles 16:34 “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” New American Standard Bible

Wishing you a Happy and Thankful Thanksgiving.