Psalms 107:1-2 O GIVE thanks unto the LORD, for HE is good: for HIS mercy endureth forever. [King James translation]
Thanksgiving Themes
The first Thanksgiving story of the 1621 New England Pilgrim colonists and the Wampanoag native people is a story with many themes. For some it is a story of a group of people (the native people) from one culture embracing immigrants (the Pilgrims) from another culture. For some it is a story of celebration for a people seeking economic opportunity in a new world and their meal of thanks as they looked to the future. Some see it as a day when a group of people who sought religious freedom gave thanks to God for seeing them through a rough winter. Others see it as a day of sharing—each person brings something to the table. Some see it as a symbol of unity--how people from different ethnic backgrounds can sit down at the table together in friendship and fellowship. Others see it as a day of victory to look back at those who braved the past danger in order to give honor and glory to God.
Still others see it as a stark reminder that we have to be ever faithful to GOD’s commandments to give, share and love no matter how insecure we may feel about our own circumstances. This Thanksgiving theme is not about what happened on the first Thanksgiving but rather what happened the days after that 1621 first Thanksgiving celebration.
After the first Thanksgiving the days ahead were difficult. The next month more immigrant colonists arrived. These new immigrants came in the dead of winter with nothing—no food or provisions. Instead of building a wall, or trying to protect “what was theirs,” the first Thanksgiving Pilgrims welcomed the newcomers with GODly love. No one threatened deportation when the food supply slowly declined. No one built a fence. Instead, the first Thanksgivers rationed the little food they had, took care of the others and prayed. They worked harder and planted crops for the whole community. When things got rougher, they just thanked GOD and prayed. They prayed when sickness came. They prayed when people started to die. They shared what little they had and just continued to trust GOD.
When a drought threatened to decimate the new crop, they prayed harder. And in the end, GOD was faithful, because they were faithful. The rains came and the harvest the next year was plentiful. The next Thanksgiving, those first Thanksgivers and the Wampanoag tribe and the new colonist immigrants, who were now celebrating their very first Thanksgiving, had even more reason to celebrate and be thankful to GOD.
All of these Thanksgiving themes still ring true today. Thanksgiving in 2016 is still a day for “mindful” thanks to GOD for personal and family health and strength. It still is a day of remembrance and thanks to GOD for those who are no longer with us but who worked hard and long to get us where we are today. It is a day of unity. Anyone and everyone can sit down at the same table of thankfulness. And it is a day of reflection and gratitude —to say thanks for still being able to “stand” despite everything that has happened during the past weeks, months and years--- to us, our communities, our nation or our world.
In 2016 we, as a people, a nation, and as a world community, still need to rely and depend on the LORD and obey HIS commandments to give, share and love one another, and pray.
There are a lot of things that can create a grateful heart. However, the psalmist in Psalms 107 suggests another Thanksgiving theme. Instead of thanking GOD for what HE does or has done for us, the psalmist tells us to thank GOD just for being GOD—Thank HIM for HIS GOODNESS; for HIS MERCY; and for the fact that HE IS FOREVER. Yes, thank HIM just because of WHO HE IS.1
Or, we can just thank GOD for everything.2
Have a Lot of Thankful Thanksgivings
There are so many wonderful Thanksgiving themes. So it would be a real shame to reduce Thanksgiving to just a turkey, a few dishes on a fancy table, hours in the kitchen, hours, shopping, lot of washing pots and pans, housework, a school/work break, spending lots of money, worrying about money, being anxious in crowded stores or being annoyed about and by relatives or friends. And, it would be a shame to focus just on shopping in the days after Thanksgiving.
Pray we remember that people are still arriving as immigrants on shores and borders all over the world with nothing. They too need to survive the winter months. Pray we remember that the meal we serve the homeless on Thanksgiving is just one meal. Pray we remember that they need to survive too. Pray we remember the least and overlooked---those in prisons, the sick, our neglected elderly, children in group homes, juvenile facilities and crisis residential facilities, those in detention camps, civilians caught between warring powers, and other in need.
Please pray for the descendants of the Wampanoag native people and other American tribes, who are being hosed down with water cannons in the below-freezing weather of North Dakota, subjected to tear gas and arrest.
Please pray that wealthier nations give and share with poor countries, like Haiti, Guinea, Ethiopia, The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Liberia, remembering that if we are to be Christians, CHRIST-like, and “great in the sight of GOD,” we must not aim for personal greatness, but to have the heart of a servant, caring for the least of those among us. Pray that we and our leaders remember that real leadership is about service:
Matthew 23:11: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant
Luke 22:26: But among you, the one who serves you best will be your leader
Pray that we be faithful, loving servants.
When we were small and our parents taught us to say “Thank You,” the idea was not for us to focus on what was in our hand; rather, they wanted to ignite a spirit of love and gratitude in our hearts. GOD wants to do the same thing for each of us (HIS children) ---every single day.
So, have a lot of thankful THANKSGIVINGS!
And, BE BLESSED!
