The History of Thanksgiving
According to Wikipedia; "On December 04, 1619, 38 English settlers arrived at Berkeley Hundred, which comprised about 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) on the north bank of the James River, near Herring Creek, in an area then known as Charles Cittie, about 20 miles (32 km) upstream from Jamestown, where the first permanent settlement of the Colony of Virginia had been established on May 14, 1607.
The group's charter required that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a "day of thanksgiving" to God. On that first day, Captain John Woodlief held the service of thanksgiving. As quoted from the section of the Charter of Berkeley Hundred specifying the thanksgiving service: "We ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."[9]" (www.wikipedia.org)
It was during the times of the most revered and respected president of the United States of America- president Abraham Lincoln when "Thanksgiving Day" was declared as an annual tradition and celebration in 1863. In spite of the civil war and the conflicts between the north and the south, the racial discrimination and the war against poverty as well as the power struggle; Mr. Lincoln declared and proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens".
I wonder what would be in the minds of millions of people who are celebrating "Thanksgiving Day" every last Thursday of November. I have been thinking of their mind set as in term of celebrating it with a right perspective and purpose. What in President Abraham Lincoln's mind when he first proclaimed the last Thursday of November as the national "Thanksgiving Day" could be different from the people’s mind set during these times. And what could be in the minds of other presidents after him? Some may celebrate it for the sake of American culture and tradition. Others may celebrate Thanksgiving Day just to go with the flow, but some could really be serious of the occasion with praise and thanksgiving in their hearts. Thanksgiving is not just a presidential declaration or proclamation, it's something that must be received and celebrated with joy, and with a serious and positive mind set about the occasion.
According to the Bible History
Is there a specific story in the Bible that could make us conclude that Thanksgiving Day has a Biblical origin? Is there a verse or a chapter in the Scriptures that we may claim as the origin of Thanksgiving Day in the Bible? We were told to be thankful by the Lord, by Apostle Paul, and in the whole Scriptures; but to claim of a specific event in the Bible is not clear enough. In Genesis 2:1- 3 it says; "1- Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2- And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3- And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." (Genesis 2:1-3 KJV) It says on verse two that "God ended his work... He rested on the seventh day..." That's exactly what God wanted for us to do. He gave us six days to work and do whatever we need to do to help our family and to fill our daily needs; but God wanted for us to rest on the seventh day. It's the time God intended for us to be at rest with Him in worship and thanksgiving. Prayer and worship must come with thanksgiving to God. It's the time of giving of thanks to God for what He has done and what He will be doing in our lives during our fellowship together with Him. The Bible said; "24- And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25- Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24, 25 KJV)
Apostle Paul wrote; "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV) What do you think Paul have in mind when he wrote this part of his Epistle to the Corinthian church? In verse one, Apostle Paul mentioned about their ministry to the saints or fellow believers. It's something that I am thankful to God when I'm doing something for His church or God's people. It is an honor to be of service to the King of kings and to His servants. We may not always have this kind of opportunity in the kingdom of God. But Apostle Paul also mentioned of the forwardness of their mind and their zeal. Notice verse "2- For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many." (2 Corinthians 9:2 KJV) These are little things with great impact in the Lord's kingdom and in the life of His saints. We should be thankful to God for little things that we've done and we are doing for the Lord of which only eternity could tell of how it may have worked and may have moved the life of those around us.
Now in verse 5, Paul was talking about the bountiful blessings that they have from the Lord. Have you ever thought of why God is blessing you with so much? Have you ever thought of why God placed the under privilege in your path? Or have you ever thought of why God opened the door of unspeakable blessings to you of which could be beyond your imagination? If you would think of the good paying job, the good health and all the goodies that others may not even have in their whole life time… and being thankful should be your first on the list. After all the positive traits and positive things Paul said about the believers; he expounded to them the Lord's principles- the principle of sowing and reaping.
Notice the following verses; "6- But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7- Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8- And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9- (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10- Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11- Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12- For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13- Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14- And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15-Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (2 Corinthians 9:6-15 KJV)
A thankful individual is a giving individual in spite of difficulties and negative circumstances in life. If you check out and study the personality of churches and people that has been blessed with so much are those who give in spite of... What is your attitude toward God and His people or His church in term of your service in giving? We can easily get distracted with money and blessings and forget about the source and provider of such. And we must have the right attitude toward His church in our giving of our tithes and offering as well as our giving for the cause of missions. We may also easily get discourage by the uncontrolled circumstances around us. Sometimes the only encouragement we have in God is His righteousness and His holiness. In God's attributes, we can surely give tribute and be consistently grateful for Who He is in our lives. (Psalm 97:12) When David was the king of Israel; he encouraged his people to give thanks to God and David mentioned of the greatness and attribute of God in his prayers. He did the same thing during the time when they brought the Ark of the Covenant and when they offered the sacrifices and the burnt offering. (I Chronicles 16:1- 43)
This may not be a big deal to other religious groups, but to Christians; this should be received and shared with seriousness. We can commit the sin of sacrilege if we offered and worship God with complaint and with ungrateful hearts. David even appointed the Levites to minister, record and to thank the Lord as recorded in verse 4. In I Chronicles 16:7 it says; "Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren." It's a blessing to know that David's first point in his sermon and worship songs composition was about gracefulness, thankfulness or giving of thanks to God. It's very compelling to read the following verses- Once you read verse 8, you can't stop reading the preceding verses of this book and chapter. The power of the Word of God… The joy of reading and meditating on David's attitude... And the people's response to the Lord in worship and thanksgiving was amazing.
The grace of God which abound toward us and the sufficiency that we have in Christ, and in all that God has bestowed upon us for His purpose and are geared toward good works on our part. The ministry is a blessing in itself but there is no greater blessing than to have the Lord's hands and presence in our work for Him. We should be thankful to God for the ministry that He entrusted us.
To the Corinthian and Macedonian churches; it should be geared to the Apostles teachings, philosophy and principles of teachings in giving and handling of God's blessings. It is to be grateful and learn to pay it forward. Even the CEO of many huge earner companies practice such principles and philosophy. To be grateful is to be charitable in some ways. If you can't be charitable you could be miserable. A grateful heart is a giving heart.
Some people are just waiting, longing and looking for charities and gifts while others are working hard to be a part of it. Some people are used to receiving a gift or be a recipient than to be a part of sharing and giving.
A Heartfelt Gratitude
The great Job of the Old Testament went through a roller coaster of pain, suffering, trials, rejection, and criticism. In spite of what he went through, he maintained a rightful attitude and a grateful spirit with God. In his hopeless situation he wrote in Job 17:15; “And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?” (KJV) It’s the same question people from many parts of the world are asking. And many of them asked this kind of question after they are at the end of their rope, because of believing in false hopes.
We placed our hopes on people, on human wisdom, strength, and capabilities; leaving God on the sideline watching us play our own game bound to destruction. It’s not that God don’t care about us, but it’s because we ignore Him and what He can do to us. And if God will do something great in our lives; we have the tendency to overlook Him and be grateful to Him. And because of this prevalent attitude of men as well as my unconsciously ungrateful attitude of what God has done and have been doing in my life; I listed 5 things in my electronic journal regarding the things that I should be thankful to God for… but I will just share to you 2 of my top heartfelt gratitude to God.
I Express My Heartfelt Gratitude to God for the Hope that I Have in Christ. The world may place their hope in things or people, but you cannot deny the truth that salvation is from God in Christ. I thank the Lord because my salvation is not based in religion, as we all know that religion and religious denominations has failed us in many ways. I praise God because it’s not seated or standing in the sand or in the hands of man; but my salvation and my hope is in Christ- the solid ground and the only Savior of the world. My hope is not in man but in God. And I wish everyone will have the same hope and the same gratitude in God our Savior. The Bible says; “13- Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14- Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (KJV) Apostle Paul wrote; “23- And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Romans 8:23- 24 KJV)
I Express My Heartfelt Gratitude to God for My Home with Christ in the Center.
Joshua could be known to many as the second man of Moses, a warrior, and a faithful servant of the Lord. Joshua was also a family man. I believe he loves his family and he has his family’s support. Joshua’s family faithfully served with him in his work for God. No wonder he has the authority to say these… “14- Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15- And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14- 15 KJV)
We don’t have a perfect home and I don’t have a perfect family, but one thing for sure; Jesus is the head, and the driver of our little house and our Christian home. He is the King and the wisdom of every decision we make. I thank the Lord because I know Christ is in the heart of my children and I’ve watched them try to live a Christ centered life as they grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They serve the Lord with me in my church and ministries. I have a loving wife who loves and serve our Lord in so many ways.
A beautiful phrase I got from a wall décor in one of the house I visited says; “My house is small. No mansion for a millionaire, But there is room for love and there is room for friends, that’s all I care.”- Unknown – HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!
By Ely Roque Sagansay
Ely is a Self- Published author and owner of Mi Daily Devotion
He is a minister from Taylor, Michigan
www.ely-roque-sagansay.com
“The New Christmas Every Day” By Ely R S is now available to order at AMAZON, Westbow Press, Barnes and Noble and National Book Store in the Philippines
THIS ARTICLE WAS TAKEN FROM THE BOOK- “THANKSGIVING EVERY DAY” AVAILABLE TO ORDER @ AMAZON, Westbow Press, Barnes and Noble and National Book Store in the Philippines.
