Almost 400 years ago a group of persecuted Christians came to the northeastern shores of North America and established a colony; in what they called a promised land. They survived the very cramped and difficult crossing over the north Atlantic in a small sailing ship called the Mayflower, and then survived a grueling first year. After all of this, they knew it was time to set aside a feast day of thanksgiving.
On a fall day in 1621, perhaps several weeks after the first fall harvest in the frontier wilderness of Plymouth Bay, these "pilgrims" gathered together to give thanks to God. From that time until today; 24 November 2011, Americans have set aside one day out of the year, officially the 4th Thursday of the month of November, for a national day of thanksgiving. It goes without saying, we probably would find it easier to understand the Pilgrims feast of thanksgiving; more so than they would recognize what we celebrate today. However, I believe it is the setting aside of a special day for Americans to give thanks to God, as a national holiday, which has brought blessings to this nation. This is truly an American born holiday founded for a single purpose: A day to remember to thank God.
On that first Thanksgiving day I find it easy to hear these words being proclaimed as the people gathered together: "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! Let Israel now say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. Let the house of Aaron (the priesthood) now say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. Let those now who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. Out of my (our) distress I (we) called upon the Lord, and the Lord answered me (us) and set me (us) free and in a large place.(The promise land of our colony.) The Lord is on my (our) side; I (we) will not fear, What can man do to me (us)?" Psalm 118.1-6 (with added changes of pronouns for emphasis upon all who were gathered to give thanks)
The group we call Pilgrims came to the shores of America to escape from the religious persecution they faced for opposing the traditional rule of the Church of England. In this, they were called "Puritans or "Separatists". They opposed the role of the King of England in the rule of the church. Politically they felt it should be the English Parliament who should have a stronger voice in determining the establishment of houses of worship. Additionally the"Puritans" believed all moral guidance and direction should be based upon the Bible; especially from the texts of the Old Testament or what was also called the "Jewish Bible".
Prior to sailing from England for the New World, many of the Puritans lived in Holland to escape the persecutions of the Church of England. During this time they came in contact with Sephardi Jews and increased their knowledge and understanding of the teaching in the "Jewish Bible". Leader of the Puritans saw that their cause for religious freedom and the journey to be undertaken was similar to the children of Israel fleeing from the rule of the Pharaohs into the promised land. Prior to departing upon the Mayflower, the Puritans gathered together to fast and pray in ways which were similar to the fast of the children of Israel as they undertook a move toward the Promise Land. Thus, from the outset, the culture of much of New England was marked by both Hebrew and Christian roots. It has been said that "no Christian community in history identified more with the Israelites of the Bible than the first generations of settlers of the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies."
The custom of leaders of state and national government combining prayer and fasting, and the reading of the Bible at memorable occasions continued as late as 1800, when President John Adams called for a national day of prayer and fasting. This was a foundation which had come with the Pilgrims and continued unabated for almost 200 years. The original thanksgiving feast was similar to the Hebrew Sukkot or Feast of Tabernacles, one of the feasts given to the children of Israel directly by God as noted in Leviticus 23.
Today, we may have a celebration which looks different, but today as we celebrate "Thanksgiving" our reflection should be very similar to the Pilgrims, it should be regarded as a significant part of a blessed life.
1) Thanksgiving brings changes in our life
2) Thanksgiving increase our measure of faith and allows us to release an increasing level of faith 3) Thanksgiving will put us on to new pathways for our future
4) Thanksgiving will bring us into the presence of God and into a fresher relationship with Jesus 5) When we give God thanks for what He has done presently or in the past, we open new doors for future blessings.
As we give thanks today or any day of the week, month, or year; consider the blessings God is bringing into our life, and each of us will proclaim: "I will confess, praise, and give thanks to You, for You have heard and answered me; and You have become my Salvation and Deliverer." (Psalm 118.21) It is my prayer that as we give thanks everyday we will experience the reality of heaven touching earth, as God brings His presence to dwell with us. Thus, we will make our "thanksgiving" not just a once a year event but it will become our way of life.
Happy thanksgiving!
No comments:
Post a Comment