Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
In the early winter of 1776, Americans faced some of the darkest days of the war—they seemed to have little for which to be thankful. General George Washington’s rag-tag colonial army had suffered one defeat after another at the hands of the British in the months following the Declaration of Independence. Now the army was dwindling from desertions and expired enlistments, and it seemed the new country would die in childbirth.
At this critical moment, a recent immigrant from England penned inspirational words that fanned the flames and revived the revolutionary spirit of America. In his pamphlet, The Crisis, Paine admonished the American patriots:
“These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.“
Part of our responsibility as parents is to teach our children that the celestial article of freedom that we enjoy was bought at a very high price—the lives of men and women from the Revolution onward who sacrificed everything that we might be free. And with this lesson in freedom, we must remind our little ones again and again of the importance of Thanksgiving.
It’s wonderful to gather with family and friends to enjoy the yearly Thanksgiving feast, to watch parades and football, and to play games or talk around the fireplace. But in the midst of the fun and festivity, we must not neglect our responsibility to make clear to our children the reasons for one of the most significant holidays in the calendar.
Days of thanksgiving have been observed through the generations, going all the way back to Noah and his family giving thanks for God protecting them from the flood. In America, this tradition was carried over from Europe and was first celebrated on these shores by the Pilgrims. They gave thanks to God for the harvest after a year of sickness and hunger. The native Wampanoag tribe also had a tradition of giving thanks to the Creator, and joined the Pilgrims in this celebration.
As America developed, many early colonies, like New Hampshire and Massachusetts, held annual days of prayer and fasting, often on Good Friday. But during the trials and pain of the Revolution, these days were declared both by the colonies and by the Continental Congress to pray for God’s intervention and healing.
The first American Day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed by the Continental Congress in November of 1777 to thank God for the surrender of more than 6,000 British soldiers under General Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga.
“That with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts … join the penitent confession of their manifold sins … That it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive … and … secure for these United States the greatest of all human blessings, independence and peace.”
The Continental Congress again proclaimed a day of thanksgiving after Captain John Paul Jones defeated the 50-gun British frigate HMS Serapis. As Governor, Thomas Jefferson responded by proclaiming a day of thanksgiving in Virginia on November 11, 1779.
“Congress … hath thought proper … to recommend to the several States … a day of public and solemn Thanksgiving to Almighty God, for his mercies, and of prayer, for the continuance of his favor … that He would go forth with our hosts and crown our arms with victory…”
After the surrender by the British at Yorktown, America secured her independence. Only a few years later, in 1789, the first presidential Thanksgiving proclamation was issued by George Washington:
“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…”
The country was severely tested during the cauldron of the Civil War. Seeking God’s help to reunite and heal the nation, President Abraham Lincoln issued another thanksgiving proclamation. This executive decree established the last Thursday of November as an ongoing American day of Thanksgiving.
“I do therefore invite my fellow citizens … 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. … fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it … to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”
In 1941, the United States Congress passed a joint resolution fixing the fourth Thursday of November as the official Thanksgiving holiday. On December 26 of that year, the bill was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt.
As we approach this yearly commemoration, let’s take time to teach our children that the giving of thanks is an important discipline in the life of any follower of Christ. The apostle Paul wrote: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
As the Founders did during the Revolution, today we face tremendous difficulties in America and around the world. But following the godly example of our Forefathers and Mothers, let us seek the wisdom and guidance of God on a daily basis. Let us teach our children and grandchildren the richness of their heritage as Americans. Let us also show by example the importance of a life of prayer and thanksgiving on this important holiday – and every day.
The post Gratitude Through the Ages: Christian Thanksgiving Traditions appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...
In the early winter of 1776, Americans faced some of the darkest days of the war—they seemed to have little for which to be thankful. General George Washington’s rag-tag colonial army had suffered one defeat after another at the hands of the British in the months following the Declaration of Independence. Now the army was dwindling from desertions and expired enlistments, and it seemed the new country would die in childbirth.
At this critical moment, a recent immigrant from England penned inspirational words that fanned the flames and revived the revolutionary spirit of America. In his pamphlet, The Crisis, Paine admonished the American patriots:
“These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.“
Part of our responsibility as parents is to teach our children that the celestial article of freedom that we enjoy was bought at a very high price—the lives of men and women from the Revolution onward who sacrificed everything that we might be free. And with this lesson in freedom, we must remind our little ones again and again of the importance of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Through the Generations
It’s wonderful to gather with family and friends to enjoy the yearly Thanksgiving feast, to watch parades and football, and to play games or talk around the fireplace. But in the midst of the fun and festivity, we must not neglect our responsibility to make clear to our children the reasons for one of the most significant holidays in the calendar.
Days of thanksgiving have been observed through the generations, going all the way back to Noah and his family giving thanks for God protecting them from the flood. In America, this tradition was carried over from Europe and was first celebrated on these shores by the Pilgrims. They gave thanks to God for the harvest after a year of sickness and hunger. The native Wampanoag tribe also had a tradition of giving thanks to the Creator, and joined the Pilgrims in this celebration.
As America developed, many early colonies, like New Hampshire and Massachusetts, held annual days of prayer and fasting, often on Good Friday. But during the trials and pain of the Revolution, these days were declared both by the colonies and by the Continental Congress to pray for God’s intervention and healing.
Proclamations of Gratitude in American History
The first American Day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed by the Continental Congress in November of 1777 to thank God for the surrender of more than 6,000 British soldiers under General Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga.
“That with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts … join the penitent confession of their manifold sins … That it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive … and … secure for these United States the greatest of all human blessings, independence and peace.”
The Continental Congress again proclaimed a day of thanksgiving after Captain John Paul Jones defeated the 50-gun British frigate HMS Serapis. As Governor, Thomas Jefferson responded by proclaiming a day of thanksgiving in Virginia on November 11, 1779.
“Congress … hath thought proper … to recommend to the several States … a day of public and solemn Thanksgiving to Almighty God, for his mercies, and of prayer, for the continuance of his favor … that He would go forth with our hosts and crown our arms with victory…”
After the surrender by the British at Yorktown, America secured her independence. Only a few years later, in 1789, the first presidential Thanksgiving proclamation was issued by George Washington:
“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…”
The National Holiday of Thanksgiving
The country was severely tested during the cauldron of the Civil War. Seeking God’s help to reunite and heal the nation, President Abraham Lincoln issued another thanksgiving proclamation. This executive decree established the last Thursday of November as an ongoing American day of Thanksgiving.
“I do therefore invite my fellow citizens … 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. … fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it … to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”
In 1941, the United States Congress passed a joint resolution fixing the fourth Thursday of November as the official Thanksgiving holiday. On December 26 of that year, the bill was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt.
Christian Thanksgiving Traditions Today
As we approach this yearly commemoration, let’s take time to teach our children that the giving of thanks is an important discipline in the life of any follower of Christ. The apostle Paul wrote: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
As the Founders did during the Revolution, today we face tremendous difficulties in America and around the world. But following the godly example of our Forefathers and Mothers, let us seek the wisdom and guidance of God on a daily basis. Let us teach our children and grandchildren the richness of their heritage as Americans. Let us also show by example the importance of a life of prayer and thanksgiving on this important holiday – and every day.
The post Gratitude Through the Ages: Christian Thanksgiving Traditions appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...