Happy Thanksgiving
Wednesday, November 24th, 2004Think about it.
This great nation of ours all started with the Pilgrims back on December 16, 1640 by their landing at Plymouth Rock.
It is truly amazing that with the help of the Native Americans, a lot of perseverance by the Pilgrims, and a whole lot of fervent prayer, not only did the Pilgrims survive, but they started the colonies, marking the start of the most amazing nation in the world. But let’s not forget the true thankfulness of the pilgrims.
On June 20, 1676, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the good fortune that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving, our first. That proclamation is reproduced here in the same language and spelling as the original.
The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive dispensations in and by the present Warr with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant people in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his judgements he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard; reserving many of our Towns from Desolation Threatened, and attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of late with many of our Confederates many signal Advantages against them, without such Disadvantage to ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be the Lord’s mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our positive Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take notice under so many Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be found an Insensible people, as not standing before Him with Thanksgiving, as well as lading him with our Complaints in the time of pressing Afflictions:
The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God’s Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching that being perswaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people offer up our bodies and soulds as a living and acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ.
Now, while it’s natural to spend a lot of effort in finding that perfect bird, learning a new recipe, or being creative in foil placement, please take some time to be truly thankful for all that we have received.
While the Jackhole may be a bit flipant here and in real life, he is truly blessed. He’s been blessed by God with a most amazing wife less than six month ago. He’s been blessed by God with parents that can show him how to be a loving couple for nearly fourty years. He’s been blessed by God with family and friends that have supported him all his thirty some years. He’s been blessed by God by being born in the most amazing nation in the world. And, most importantly, he’s been blessed by God with the gift of His Son, as each and everyone have you have been.
May God continue to bless you and a your family, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
June 29, 1676
My soon to be three year old niece told my brother and sister-in-law that;
