In today’s world of fast food, quick access to anything and everything at our fingertips via a computer and an Internet connection, 24/7/365 grocery stores, where instant gratification is the norm of the day, one might find it prudent to ask, what do we need a ‘Thanksgiving’ holiday for? Who are we thanking anyway, and what are we supposed to be thankful for?

After all, all we do is take a day off from work, eat a wide variety of foods in such quantity that we stuff ourselves to excess, hold parades, and watch football games. The most popular term for the day is fast becoming ‘Turkey day’, in honor of the traditional meat that we eat on this day.

We’ve worked hard to provide ourselves with everything that we need, and much more. In fact it is known throughout the earth that we are the most prosperous nation at the individual level that has ever existed in the history of the world.

We have tamed a wild continent, fought and won wars for our freedom, abolished slavery, become captains of industry, freed oppressed peoples far beyond our shores, and generally become the most ‘peaceful’ nation on earth. Why shouldn’t we just congratulate ourselves, remember our ancestors who fought and died for our / others’ freedom, remind ourselves of what a great nation we are, and ‘party on’?

In this writing I would like to present historical information that provides a bit of detail concerning the events and people that led to the establishment of this nation, why this day became a national celebration, what we need to be thankful for, and who we need to be thankful to.

The establishment of the Northern colonies

In terms of when the first settlers arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent, the Northern Colonies were not the first established. In fact, by the time the first Pilgrims arrived in Provincetown Harbor on 21 November 1620, the eastern shores of North America had seen a number of European arrivals, including the Jamestown settlers who sailed up the James river in what is now known as Virgina in 1607, and a group of Spaniards who established the St. Augustine community in what is today known as the state of Florida in 1565. ¹

By the time Plymouth Colony had seen it’s first winter and spring in the New World, less than half of the men and one third of the male children were left of the original Mayflower travelers. This was the beginning of some very harsh struggles that would see the early settlers suffer many trials and setbacks, and see the early deaths of most of the founders. ²

Ultimately Plymouth Colony itself would not perist. Yet out of Plymouth Colony several other colonies in the area would be developed, and a permanent European presence would be established in North America. ³

Why were these early settlers willing to endure such great hardship and risk their lives to establish a foothold in a wild, heretofore unsettled land? As it turns out, this was not the first community that had been established by these brave pioneers. It seems that these same Pilgrims – as they later came to be called – were a group of Christians who refused to worship the Creator of the Universe according to the dictates of the English King and his state-dominated church. Rather, at risk of loss of freedom and life, this group of believers established a covenant-based community, using their faith and understanding of the Scripture to create the communities’ tenets of law, worship and interpersonal relations. The Scrooby congregation was first constituted in Northern England and later in the vicinity of Amsterdam, Holland.

As is always the case in pluralistic, socialistic, authoritarian and other Creator-hating/denying cultures, persecution becomes too great to bear for the people of The Book. 17^th century Holland was a permissive, pluralistic society that tolerated any culture, no matter how diverse – or perverse.

During their time in Holland those who eventually became the settlers of the Northern North American colonies were required to work so hard as to not have time to devote to Biblical studies and living, and were greatly dismayed to see their children being assimilated by this heathen culture. Drastic times call for drastic measures. Something had to be done to keep alive the dream of living freely in covenant with their Creator and each other. ^{4 5}

America’s First Thanksgiving

After the difficult ocean journey and their first winter, spring and summer in the New Land, the Pilgrims began to experience success in hunting, fishing, and the growing of produce, thanks in great measure to certain kind and helpful indigenous Americans. Let’s take a look at their heart attitude at this time:

1621 Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims at Plymouth

Painting of “The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth” By Jennie A. Brownscombe. (1914)

The modern Thanksgiving holiday traces its origins from a 1621 celebration at the Plymouth Plantation, where the Plymouth settlers held a harvest feast after a successful growing season. It is this iconic event that is generally referred to as the “First Thanksgiving.”

Squanto, a Patuxet Native American who resided with the Wampanoag tribe, taught the Pilgrims how to catch fish and grow corn and served as an interpreter for them (Squanto had learned English as a slave in Europe and travels in England). The Pilgrims set apart a day to celebrate at Plymouth immediately after their first harvest, in 1621. At the time, this was not regarded as a Thanksgiving observance; harvest festivals existed in English and Wampanoag tradition alike. Several colonists gave personal accounts of the 1621 feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims, most of whom were Separatists, are not to be confused with Puritans who established their own Massachusetts Bay Colony nearby (current day Boston) in 1628 and had very different religious beliefs.[6]

William Bradford, in Of Plymouth Plantation:

They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to the proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports.

Edward Winslow, in Mourt’s Relation:

Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.⁶

As imperfect as the early settlers of this country may have been, they had one very good thing going for them: they recognized their need to give thanks to their Creator for their provision.

Proclamations

Lets take a look at the state of our nation and government 161 years later, to determine what our forefathers thought was the cause for our national success, even our very existence as a nation, in this proclamation set forth by the hand of the Governor of the State of New Hampshire:

Continental Congress Thanksgiving Proclamation

---

November 1, 1782

 

---

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
IN COMMITTEE of SAFETY,
EXETER, November 1, 1782.

ORDERED, THAT the following Proclamation for a general THANKSGIVING on the twenty-eighth day of November [instant?], received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed, and sent to the several worshiping Assemblies in this State, to whom it is recommended religiously to observe said day, and to abstain from all servile labour thereon.
M. WEARE, President.

By the United States in Congress assembled.

PROCLAMATION.

IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:—– Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.

JOHN HANSON, President.
Charles Thomson, Secretary.

PRINTED AT EXETER.

Seven years later, we see a similar proclamation, not by a state governor, but by the President of the United States of America himself, the honorable General George Washington:

Thanksgiving Proclamation

[New York, 3 October 1789]

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

74 years later, the leaders of this nation still find it prudent to acknowledge the source of our wealth, strength, provision and very existence of this country. Here from the hand of the legendary Abraham Lincoln, then President of the United States:

Proclamation of Thanksgiving

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

This is the proclamation which set the precedent for America’s national day of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued many orders like this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving.

Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent magazine editor, wrote a letter to Lincoln on September 28, 1863, urging him to have the “day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival.” She wrote, “You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritive fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution.” The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November “as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise.”

According to an April 1, 1864, letter from John Nicolay, one of President Lincoln’s secretaries, this document was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and the original was in his handwriting. On October 3, 1863, fellow Cabinet member Gideon Welles recorded in his diary that he complimented Seward on his work. A year later the manuscript was sold to benefit Union troops.

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

As we see from these historical and founding documents of our nation, people and government, we were constituted as a country to walk in the ways of the Creator of the Universe, not to follow in the ‘footsteps of failure’ of every other nation on the planet.

This day was instituted solely for the purpose of acknowledging the Hand of Yehowah Elohim in the affairs of this nation; it’s continued survival, providence, blessing and strength. As we reflect on these truths, let’s recall our rich spiritual heritage and the purpose for the establishment of this nation, that is to be a people set apart to their Creator and His Messiah, Yehoshua HaMashiach.

Give Thanks

I give You thanks with all my heart; Before the mighty ones I sing praises to You.

I bow myself toward Your set-apart Hĕḵal, And give thanks to Your Name For Your kindness and for Your truth; For You have made great Your Word, Your Name, above all.

On the day I called You did answer me, You made me bold with strength in my being.

Let all the sovereigns of the earth Give thanks to You, O יהוה, When they shall hear the words of Your mouth. And let them sing of the ways of יהוה, For great is the esteem of יהוה.

Though יהוה is exalted, He looks on the humble; But the proud He perceives from a distance.

Though I walk in the midst of distress, You revive me; You stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand saves me.

יהוה does perfect for me. O יהוה, Your kindness is everlasting. Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

(Psa 138:1-8 TS98)

1. The Dawning of a New World
2. The Story of the Pilgrims IV: The First Year
3. The Story of the Pilgrims V: After the First Year
4. The Story of the Pilgrims 1: From Scrooby to Holland
5. The Story of the Pilgrims II: The Leyden Years
6. Thanksgiving (United States)