An Inspired Thanksgiving

We know their names. I don’t know how I missed this all my life, but we know the names of the Plymouth colony settlers who were at what we now identify as the first Thanksgiving in 1621.  There were only 53 of the original 102 Mayflower passengers who survived the devastating, disease- and starvation-ravaged winter, and I’m sure this celebration was bittersweet, but the Pilgrims were continuing their English tradition of celebrating a successful harvest. “Some 78 percent of the women who had arrived on the Mayflower had died during the first winter, a far higher percentage than for men or children.” https://www.history.com/news/first-thanksgiving-colonists-native-americans-men

Only 4 women survived, so it can be assumed that some of the more than 25 teenagers and children and maybe some of the men helped prepare the feast. And 90 native Americans from the nearby Wampanoag tribe joined them, bringing venison to add to the 3-day feast. 

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“Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the company almost a week, at which time amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.” 

From a letter written in December 1621 by Edward Winslow, one of the Pilgrims at the feast

Thanksgiving did not become a national holiday until President Abraham Lincoln, hoping it would help unite the nation, established it in 1863, and you can read a little more of that here.  https://historyofmassachusetts.org/the-first-thanksgiving/

Fast forward to 2020, and we have another bittersweet Thanksgiving. Certainly not the only time in our country’s history that it’s been bittersweet. But we’ve been through and are still going through one of the most trying times many of us have ever experienced. And when we normally would have gathered our family close, many of us are not able to do that this year. And it hurts. But we are resilient, as the Pilgrims were, and we will make it through this time. Eventually it will be behind us as something we overcame, with strength from God.

When I saw the names of the survivors who celebrated with that first feast, my thoughts turned to God, to whom our Thanksgiving is always directed. He knows their names—those who survived and those who didn’t. 

He also knows my name. 

I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

Isaiah 43:1

He knows my heart, He knows my heartbreak. He knows my joy. He knows my fears and my hopes. He knows me. And He knows you. And He wants us—all of us—to know Him. 

Even with the turmoil, uncertainty, fear, and disappointment this year has brought, God is still worthy of praise and thanksgiving and inspires generosity through His blessings. And He is faithful.

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2 corinthians 9:11

I’m praying that you will be blessed during this holiday season with more than you can even imagine, that your heart will be soothed and that you may feel peace and thankfulness. And I pray that we will each bless others with our generosity, to the glory of God. 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Have a very blessed Thanksgiving!