Thanksgiving thoughts

Give thanks in all circumstances...
--1 Thessalonians 5:18

Though it was not called Thanksgiving at the time, in 1621 a thanksgiving feast was celebrated by the pilgrims of the Plymouth colony along with about 90 Wampanoag Indians. The Pilgrims had suffered through a devastating winter in which nearly half their number died. Without the help of the Indians, all would have perished.After the first harvest, Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer to God.

In 1623, a period of drought was answered by colonists with a proclamation of prayer and fasting. This prayer and fasting became a thanksgiving celebration when rains came during the prayers. Later that year, Governor Bradford proclaimed November 29 as a time for pilgrims to gather and "listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings."

In 1863, Sarah Josepha Hale, convinced Abraham Lincoln to proclaim Thanksgiving a national holiday. For the date, she chose the last Thursday in November because of Washington's proclamation. In 1941, it was officially changed to the fourth Thursday in November.

Since Abraham Lincoln's proclamation, it has been a custom that all presidents of the United States make Thanksgiving proclamations every year. George W. Bush stated in one of his proclamations, that In thankfulness and humility, we acknowledge, especially now, our dependence on One greater than ourselves.

All of the early Thanksgiving celebrations had one thing in common. The thanksgiving was directed toward God. It did not matter that many had very hard times. The people knew that God was their creator and provider and that all good things ultimately came from Him.

It is in this spirit that I will be celebrating Thanksgiving this year.

I am thankful most of all from my family and friends. For without their love, friendship, and support I would not have made it through the past few months.