Holidays

WHAT IS THANKSGIVING ALL ABOUT

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
11/18/15
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What is Thanksgiving all about ? Is it  eating that big Turkey drum stick ? Is it shopping for those bargain  items ? Is it watching football ? Is it watching the annual festive parades ? Well, maybe some of all the above, but the most important agenda is actually "Giving Thanks", for  which  the names applies.  The celebration of Thanksgiving is considered a feast to give thanks for the fruits of the previous harvest.

In America specifically, it dates back to the 1600s. It probably dates back to the  first Thanksgiving of 1621, when the harvest was celebrated by the Pilgrims - Dutch settlers of the Plymouth Colony in what's now called Massachusetts. It then spread through the new country and was celebrated on different days in different communities until, in 1789, George Washington declared the first national Thanksgiving Day. Now, we  celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.

 From the inception of the idea of freedom, until now, it has always been about giving thanks to our supreme leader, Father God, for His untold blessings. This concept is evident in the signing of the "Mayflower Compact", listed below.

• THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT


• In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.


• Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the eleventh of November [New Style, November 21], in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Dom. 1620.

The Mayflower Compact is best described as an agreement signed by the male settlers aboard the Mayflower to accept whatever form of government they established when they landed at Cape Cod in Massachusetts. According to History.com, it was the first written outline of government in what later became the United States.  This compact was said to have an  influence on the Founding Fathers in the drafting of the United States Constitution.

Now to reflect on our modern day culture, Thanksgiving is a chance for many families to spend time together after being apart for much of the year; it is a good time to reflect on the love that you have for one another, as well as sharing your thoughts about what you feel grateful for

Yes, it all started by giving thanks to God (Psalm 139:13-18). You see, we can never thank God enough. Just where would you be without Jesus ? Take a moment to stop and really think about it. What has He done for you ? Where would you be if He hadn't done these things ? The words of (Ephesians 2:12)  sum it up well.

So, yes we can enjoy the fruits of Thanksgiving. We can also enjoy the blessings of God. Keep your eyes on the gift and (maybe) you'll be blessed as long as it lasts. Turn your eyes to the Giver, and you'll be blessed for eternity (Psalm 92:1-2, 4-5).

 Author's Post Script

A bit of trivia. We all really love Thanksgiving. It ranks as the No. 2 favorite holiday in the U.S. just after Christmas. And do we like to eat.  

82 %   Will spend time with family.

22 %   Will include pets.

76 %   Will attend a Thanksgiving meal that includes  prayer

57 %   Will just sit and talk, after a big meal.

53 %   Will watch TV.

44 %   Will watch football.

16 %   Plan to get in line for "Black Friday" shopping.

44 %   Plan to host Thanksgiving dinner

24 %   Go to other houses.

44 %   Of Millennial will serve ham.

44 %   Of Millennial  won't serve cranberry sauce.

43 %   Eat turkey.

7 %     Eat ham.

18 %   Eat stuffing.

7 %     Eat mashed potatoes.

4 %     Eat green beans.

7 %     Eat sweet potatoes casserole

7 %     Eat pie.

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