A NATIONAL THANKSGIVING
The Seasons topics of our blogposts are usually about observing the Hebraic calendar. This is the calendar which we think God set into motion from the foundations of the world at Creation. However, there are national historical annual memorials we also choose to celebrate. One of those memorials is the celebration of Thanksgiving in America.
The Hebraic month of Kislev begins at a time which aligns itself with the celebration of Thanksgiving in America. That is fitting as Kislev is known as a time of coming out of chaos and entering into a time of hope and miracles. That perfectly describes the first Thanksgiving we remember each year. The nation known for its “beautiful spacious skies and amber waves of grain” is busy remembering its national history. At Thanksgiving, “The Land of the Free” and “The Home of the Brave” will pause for a day. It is a day to remember how our Great God first led America into becoming a great nation.
That first Thanksgiving was a lot like coming out of Egypt for the Israelites. God said “go” and the persecuted people began their journey across the ocean into a great unknown territory. Most carried only the clothes on their back.
THANKSGIVING 2025 IN AMERICA
This first harvest festival has become a memorial which we celebrate. It is an appropriate memorial of our country’s first origins. We call it Thanksgiving. There are many colorful stories to share. The heart of this national holiday acknowledges God’s faithful provision. The festivities of today are full of sincere gratitude.
This presidentially-proclaimed holiday festival and memorial began as a time of remembering the first hard year of our country’s founders. Those first recorded moments of our nation celebrated a harvest of abundance. These early settlers were happy to be giving thanks to God for their provision after a very hard winter. At Thanksgiving we imitate their deep gratitude. God has continually provided for our nation. We must remember their sacrifices and admire their desire for freedom of religion. Our hearts share this sentiment. It is our responsibility to pass the facts on from generation to generation, least our citizens lose the vision and forget.
HISTORICAL FACTS
England’s King was very selfish and greedy. There was no escaping his elitist reign. Thus, the Pilgrims sailed away on a ship called the Mayflower. Religious persecution was their reason for leaving.
THE PURITANS
Previous to their leaving, other Englander’s had already moved to Holland for the same reasons. These people were the Puritans. In Holland there were language problems and economic hardships. After a few years, the Puritans bravely traveled again. They too saw visions of a place where they could worship freely and prosper.
In July of 1620 the Puritans left Holland on a ship called The Speedwell. The ship stopped in South Hampton, England. At that point, they joined up with the Mayflower. Both ships sailed side-by-side. In Plymouth, England, the people on The Speedwell had to abandon ship. Their sea-bound vessel had deteriorated in the crossing. It could not survive the journey. Their sailing partner, The Mayflower, quickly came to the rescue. Now the Mayflower was fuller than intended for such a long journey.
MAYFLOWER PILGRIMS AND PURITANS
This unfortunate event put the two groups of travelers into one ship. In September of 1620 the Mayflower sailed with 102 passengers. Forty-one of these passengers called themselves Pilgrims. The remainder of the passengers were those who had come from Holland for economic reasons. These people were the Puritans. Due to their differences, the two groups often referred to each other as saints and strangers.
After both groups of passengers joined together in September of 1620, The Mayflower departed Plymouth, England headed for The New World. By November 10, 1620 they could see present-day Cape Cod, Massachusetts from their ship.
The Mayflower sailed past Cape Cod and continued toward the mainland. Soon the passengers of the Mayflower landed at Patuxet. The date was December 11, 1620. It was a beautiful place with many waterfalls. Patuxet was an established settlement of Native Americans. Those natives who once lived there experienced a deadly plague. All of the natives died. So, soon the passengers from the Mayflower settled into their abandoned homes. The Puritans living among the new settlers renamed the town Plymouth.
SURVIVING THE FIRST HARSH WINTER
That first winter was very harsh and cold. There wasn’t a good food supply. By late winter, 47 members of the community died. They buried the dead in unmarked graves hoping the natives would not notice how defenseless they were.
In 1621 the whole group of settlers experienced a rough and severe winter. They planted crops that Spring. Their first harvest was plentiful. Their first harvest celebration lasted for a whole week. Native Americans visited the first three days. There were 55 Pilgrims who survived. These Pilgrims joined 90 Native Americans for the harvest festival. The Pilgrims brought wild turkey to the table. Native Americans brought venison. Both groups were rejoicing together. They relaxed, gave thanks, and celebrated the fruits of their labors.
MAKING THE HOLIDAY OFFICIAL
The first joint harvest festival was a historically important event. However, the official holiday called Thanksgiving did not become an annual event for many years. There are many reasons.
The Puritans banned Christmas. This matter became one of the many reasons they left England. Their biblical studies did not agree with the trending new dates set by the English world. The Catholic Church in England demanded they add this holiday to their religious calendar. The Puritans did not consider the Catholic Church’s new date to be biblically correct.
Thus, most of the early settlers interpreted Christmas to be a man-made tradition. They desired religious truth and purity as ordained by God. Puritans refused to celebrate the newly proclaimed Christmas holiday. However, there was nothing which seemed unbiblical about a harvest festival which gave thanks to God. It all coincided and agreed with The Feast of Tabernacles beliefs which the Puritans already celebrated on their religious calendars.
In 1789, after the end of The Revolutionary War, President George Washington ordered the celebration of the first national “Thanksgiving Day.” This served as only one stand-alone celebration. Any further annual celebration remained unofficial.
In 1846, a magazine editor named Sarah Josepha Hale, lobbied for an annual Thanksgiving Day holiday observance. Mrs. Hale suggested celebrating every November. Yet, it wasn’t until after the Civil War that President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday.
In America today Thanksgiving is celebrated with great joy. Everyone loves Thanksgiving. This harvest festival is truly a cherished American tradition. People put off work for a day to remember and give thanks.
Fortunately, God has blessed America beyond her wildest dreams. For this blessing the whole world is thankful. All hearts and tables are full. Brothers and Sisters join hands together and give thanks to God.