Read
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Psalm 100:4
Reflect
History is often discussed and debated, and it’s hard to get people to agree on the meaning of historical events. Sometimes it’s even difficult for just people to agree on what really happened.
On this day, we celebrate our country’s Thanksgiving Day, which has been an annual tradition since the day was set aside as a holiday by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. But what are we actually celebrating?
This year will mark the 400th anniversary of the very first Thanksgiving, which probably didn’t happen in November but more likely took place in late September. Regardless of the date, most historians agree on these facts. The first Pilgrim settlers arrived in New England on the Mayflower on November 11, 1620. After a difficult year, which saw many of the settlers succumb to illness, the surviving Pilgrims celebrated the Autumn harvest with a feast and were joined at some point by Massasoit, the leader of the Wampanoag tribe, and 90 of his men. They feasted on fowl, deer and the fruits of their harvest, and they gave thanks to the Lord for His blessings.
Modern historians may discount the significance of this first Thanksgiving celebration and point instead to America’s historic mistreatment of the Native Americans as our true legacy. I can’t and won’t debate that we’ve done some terrible things in this country, but that feast wasn’t one of them. And they did have a lot to give thanks for. They had survived, and they had learned how to plant, with the help of another Native American, Tisquantum (who most people know as Squanto).
Even without that early Thanksgiving celebration, our country can be thankful for so much. We’re still a free country, and we can express our opinions without fear of being locked away by the government. Yes, prices have gone crazy in the last year, but most of us can still afford to pay for a turkey and even most of the trimmings. And best of all, we are free to worship the Lord God.
I know some people who will say that there’s nothing to give thanks over because there’s still so much wrong with our country. Yes, I agree that we have some serious problems that need to be addressed, but point to a country that has been blessed more than this one, or to any country in the world that is perfect. Just because things aren’t ideal doesn’t mean that we can’t praise God for the things that are good.
Personally, I thank the Lord for my family, for my job, for my home and for being able to live in the United States of America. I do pray for those who are less fortunate, and I also pray that the Lord will use me to minister to and help them as I am able. I also pray for you, that you will be able to enjoy this day to the fullest with friends and family. Eat some turkey, watch some football – and please, remember to honor the One who makes all of this possible through his love, grace and mercy.
Reflection copyright © 2024 Doug DeBolt.
