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Happy Thanksgiving!

We are familiar with the 1621 harvest festival in Plimouth Colony.  It occurred somewhat spontaneously, according to Nathanael Pilbrick in "Mayflower."  It entered the American ethos so that by today it has become part of the national secular religion observed across religious lines. 

What we might not know about Thanksgiving is that it is not a annual holiday until the President makes his annual Thanksgiving declaration, but no President since Abraham Lincoln has felt it contrary to do anything but assure the nation a day of reflection and gratitude.  The idea of a national day of Thanksgiving was in fact first proposed by George Washington, but it wasn't until Mr. Lincoln's Presidency that we actually had one.  For both Presidents, the intention was to encourage the nation to pause and reflect on the graces of God bestowed upon us; a reasonable objective worth remembering throughout the all our days.

In any event, have a blessed holiday and one filled with reflection and gratitude.

Peace,

Pastor John Mark

Updated: 09/29/08