Many people’s memories of Thanksgiving have changed throughout time. Thanksgiving is a national holiday observed in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November. During this time, people travel home to enjoy a large meal that includes turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and other goodies. Families get together during this time to enjoy each other’s company. And that’s all it is for some Americans—a day off from work, tons of food and festivities, and watching American football on television. Thanksgiving, however, means much more to Christians than that.
Remembering God’s blessings in difficult circumstances
The Thanksgiving holiday has been celebrated on and off in the United States since 1789 and President Abraham Lincoln made it a regular national holiday in 1863. The reason for the holiday is to remember God’s blessings, especially God’s provision and care for the Pilgrims, the first European settlers in America. Arriving from England in 1620, this group of Christians was seeking a land to make a new life for themselves where they could worship God in freedom. However, they arrived in North America too late to plant food for the harvest and they had little food to eat during their first cold, snowy winter in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Many of them died during that winter, but in the spring time local Native American Indians helped them plant corn, beans, and squash.
There was plenty of food for the Pilgrims when harvest season came. They asked their newfound friends, the local Native American Indians, to join them in celebrating because there was an abundance of food. They celebrated with a large feast, giving thanks to God for enabling them to survive the winter and for sending them plenty of food and new friends. They had been through a lot, but now was the time to celebrate and be happy. The Almighty God, who had transported them to this new place to worship Him in spirit and truth, had provided them with assistance; they had not survived on their own.
All our blessings come from God
For Christians in the United States today, Thanksgiving Day is not only a time for food and family, but it is also a time to thank God for His good provision and care for them, just as He cared for the original American settlers. Not all Americans are Christians anymore and many people don’t thank God on Thanksgiving Day. But for those who trust in Christ, they remember that the family and food they enjoy did not come to them by their own work alone. All the blessings they have are blessings from above. God is our creator and provider, and it is right and good to thank Him regularly for all that He gives us, as the Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Let us be thankful
Thanksgiving is recognized as a national holiday in the US, yet giving thanks to God is not limited to citizens of that nation. All people can express gratitude to God and commemorate his acts by setting aside particular days and celebrations to honor him. God created all peoples and all lands. So let’s give thanks every day of the year, not just on Thanksgiving!
