Happy Thanksgiving 2009

Photo Source: Norman Rockwell archives. "Freedom from Want." As appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, March 6, 1943.


In late November, 1620 about 102 passengers from Delft Haven, Holland arrived in Massachusetts seeking new lives for themselves. These "Pilgrims" sought to escape religious oppression going on in Europe. They sailed four months, braving storm tossed seas and relying on Divine Providence for their guidance. Upon arriving at Plymouth, Massachusetts, the Pilgrims signed the "Mayflower Compact" on December 11, 1602. The Mayflower Compact is known as the first form of civil government, and the first to introduce self-government, which the settlers established after arriving in their New World.

Unprepared for their first New England winter of 1620, about one half of them died before spring. They are buried on the hill overlooking Plymouth Rock. One can still visit their graves there. The survivors reaped a bountiful harvest the next summer after being assisted by helpful members of the Wampanoag Indian tribe. The grateful Pilgrims declared a three-day feast to thank God for their harvest, starting December 16, 1621. They celebrated with about one hundred of their Indian friends. Various independent celebrations occurred in the years following.

Much of the credit for the current national Thanksgiving Day celebration is given to Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, the editor of "Godey's Lady's Book." She contacted President after President for over thirty years until President Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863 by setting aside the last Thursday of November to celebrate a national day of Thanksgiving. Here are some of his words:

"A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies... 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... as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens... 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, tranquility and Union....

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

By the President: Abraham Lincoln, 1863"

This tradition was carried on yearly until 1941 when Congress declared a permanent national holiday. The Thanksgiving tradition revolves around a delicious and lavish meal, usually with Turkey as the centerpiece. A special prayer of thanks typically precedes the meal.

We celebrate Thanksgiving Day as a national day of giving thanks to our Creator God for His Divine Providence which He has shown to our beloved United States of America. Don't let the history revisionists try to tell you that God has no place in our country's history or government. Our founding fathers saw things differently. Although 2009 was extremely challenging for all of us, we still have much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. And may God continue to bless America!