Thanksgiving Day Tradition Celebrating Lord's Grace
A longstanding tradition of giving thanks to God has been kept nationally in the country since 1863 when President Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."
The origin of Thanksgiving Day goes back to early 1600s. The famous story of the Pilgrims is together recalled in Thanksgiving season. The English Puritans who so wanted to keep their faith from other influences set out their first journey in early 1600s, leaving a small town called Scrooby in England for Amsterdam. They lived in the country of Netherlands about 11 to 12 years until they finally left for America on September 6th, 1620. Out of 102 people who got on board in Mayflower, only 52 people survived the journey and the first year in Plymouth. The journey was harsh and the weather was freezing and wet. Many died out of diseases and sicknesses in spite of dreams for the new land and new life.
In the next fall of 1621, the newly settled believers marked the first harvest and celebrated for three days. The celebration thanked God for the abundance of food and fruit in sincere prayer and expression of gratitude.
The story of the turbulent journey taken by a small church became a historic and legendary memory of the United States. God blessed their longing and desire to serve the Lord only following the Scripture, however small and vulnerable they were. And their gratitude was forged out of their intense experience of a suffering journey. It is the Lord who grants life and breath, and everything else of the world that man can enjoy. This profound realization burst into thankfulness which has become the founding spirit of the country for everyone who enjoys American life.
"Give thanks in all circumstances," writes the Apostle. It is because this is "God's will" for you in Christ, he adds. It is because all believers have overwhelming reasons to be thankful, even in situations of trials and hardships. It is because everyone has equally and unconditionally received love from the Father by His redeeming work through Christ. No other cause can stop us thanking the Lord who so freely granted eternal life and freedom to our souls by his own sacrifice.
Like Pilgrims who earnestly sought "pure religion" and "pure faith", churches in U.S. pray that everyone's hearts be purified on this day of Thanksgiving by bringing sincere gratitude to the Lord for all He has done this year.
May this day be pleasing to the Lord who is gracious and merciful for all of us.
