"Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that [are] within thy gates. Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice." Lev. 16:13-15
Most Americans think of Pilgrims when they think of “Thanksgiving.” That is understandable, since American school children inevitably learn about the thanksgiving celebrations of the Pilgrims and Indians in New England in the 1600’s.
Over the next couple hundred years, each state determined its own Thanksgiving traditions. Then, in 1827, Sarah Josepha Hale (author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) began a campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. For 36 years, she wrote editorials and many letters to governors, senators, presidents and other politicians. In 1863, during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln heeded her request in a proclamation asking that all Americans ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and “heal the wounds of the nation.” It has since been a national celebration for almost 150 years.
However, this was not the first declaration of a national Thanksgiving event. In Leviticus, God commands the Israelites to hold a seven day Feast of Tabernacles, and in Deuteronomy this feast to thank God for His blessings is described in detail.
The Biblical Feast of Tabernacles included offerings to God, while our modern Thanksgiving feast has become more about the food we are going to consume than about recognizing our Creator and Provider. Many families place their confidence in trying to break a wishbone in two rather than thanking God and asking Him to continue to watch over and protect their family during the coming year.
Today, November 16, 2012, the children of Grace Harbor School will enjoy a traditional American Thanksgiving Feast. Their families will be invited to join in the celebration, all gathering together to break bread (dinner rolls) and enjoy the foods we have all come to associate with Thanksgiving Day.
But our children are blessed. They will be reminded that Thanksgiving Day is held to sincerely thank God for our blessings, and to honor and recognize His influence on our lives. Thank God for this ministry that teaches the really important things to our children.
If your child attends Grace Harbor School allow them, on Thanksgiving Day next week, to share what they have learned about the true purpose of Thanksgiving Day and Who we should be thanking. Then enjoy your Thanksgiving feast wholeheartedly; after all, God provided it!
God’s blessings to you all, and don’t forget to thank Him for them. Dolly
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment