On the Origin and Value of Thanksgiving
While I knew that Abraham Lincoln is credited with establishing Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday, I didn’t know it had previously been the custom of presidents and governors and others to declare “a day of Thanksgiving” on a regularly occasional basis. (That is, they did this regularly, but according to no set calendar.) So in addition to the thanksgiving celebration of the pilgrims we know so well, George Washington twice declared days of national thanksgiving (in 1789 and 1795). John Adams and James Madison did the same on several occasions (though Jefferson never did).
While often these days of thanksgiving were declared to celebrate a successful harvest, as with the pilgrims, they were also used to give thanks for other events like the conclusion of war or, in the case of Washington’s first declaration, Congress’ recommendation to the states of the First Amendment to the newly drafted U.S. Constitution.
These declarations were intended as reminders of the blessings this country and its citizens enjoyed as gifts from God, gifts that were easy to take for granted. As Lincoln’s declaration – written, actually, by Secretary of State William Seward – so eloquently put it amid the tumult and carnage of the Civil War,
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.
Perhaps one way to observe Thanksgiving might be, therefore, to take a moment to recognize – and give God thanks for – the everyday blessings and gifts of our lives. Make a list of those blessings, share them with those close to you, and offer them as prayers of gratitude. In a TEDTalk I posted some months ago, Harvard psychology professor and consultant Shawn Anchor reports that recent brain research confirms that there are few things more powerful – for you or and for those around you – than counting your blessings and giving thanks for them.
But sometimes we fail to give thanks not because we’re not grateful, but because we don’t realize the power of giving thanks and the need for others to hear it. As Dr. Laura Trice – addictions counselor and, in another part of her life, purveyor of wholesome junk food – reminds us, sometimes we need to let people know what we need, what we need, even, to be thanked for, so that together we can cultivate a culture of thanksgiving and blessings.
As Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought I would post both TED Talks – the first is 12 minutes, the second just over three – as well as this link to Minnesota Public Radio’s annual Thanksgiving program: Giving Thanks – A Celebration of Fall, Food and Gratitude. I have found all three to help me multiply my thanksgiving and awareness of blessing and hope you do, too.
Blessed Thanksgiving!
Notes: 1) If you are receiving this post by email, you may need to click here to watch the videos.
2) To find out more about the history of Thanksgiving, click here to learn about the pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving and here to learn about the history of the national holiday.
3) No posts tomorrow in honor of the day!
I am a Lutheran pastor serving a Congregational church in Southwest Montana. I want to let you know how thankful I am for YOU, your Working Preacher column and In the Meantime blog. Every week I look forward to your insights into the scriptures and suggestions for preaching. I also really enjoy the wit and wisdom in your blog. I always come away with something to ponder or a new understanding. Thank you and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Thank you so much, Sandy. These are labors of love, so it’s always gratifying to discover it’s helping someone else out!
Blessed Thanksgiving to you as well!