Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. Psalm 119:90
I was working with my radio on and suddenly became disgusted with the radio show host. The person leading the show announced that the Pilgrims really didn’t have the first Thanksgiving, but sited some unusual wicked event which happened after the Pilgrims celebration and said, “That was the first time for the holiday.” Sadly, someone heard this and took it for fact and now, one of the few true Christian holidays has a shadow on it. I want to say to that host… SHAME ON YOU!
I know the world wants nothing to do with Jesus Christ, but I can’t stand by and allow someone else to cast a dark shadow on the holiday. While it is true the celebration was because of the wonderful harvest, the actions were to give thanks to God for His Divine Blessings. The Pilgrims were truly thankful for the safety shown them while crossing the ocean. (fact) The Pilgrims were thankful that they found the mounds of grain left by the Indians. (fact) The Pilgrims became increasingly thankful for the kind Indians who helped them that first spring planting season and subsequent harvest. (fact) The Pilgrims were thankful for their new found brothers and sisters, the Indians, and wanted to show them Christian love and their faith. (fact) The Pilgrims prayed, had celebration services with the Indians, and in the three days they were together with their brothers praised God, not men. (fact)
They might not have called it Thanksgiving, but they were truly thankful and praised God. If that isn’t thanksgiving, then nothing is.
By definition the word “Thanksgiving” means: an act of showing thanks. Plain and simple, the truth is thanksgiving has to have a direction. While the Pilgrims were thankful for the help of Squanto, they understood that it was God who gave the blessing. God sent the timely rain and sunshine. It was God who gave the increase. It was God who gave abundantly. It was God who showed the Pilgrims love. Above all, the Pilgrims believed God had delivered them to Plymouth Rock and not Virginia in answer to prayer. They believed God had blown them off course to this place. They believed God had separated the wheat from the chaff that first winter. In turn, they believed in God and were thankful.
So hear me out unbeliever: You may not like this Holiday and your life might mean more to you as you consider, Black Friday, but true believers know the certainty of what was done that first harvest at Plymouth Rock. I say, “Thanks be to God,” for the example left by our Christian forefathers. Now, if you don’t like it, don’t celebrate it.
Nuf said…
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