Thankful– denotes gratitude; to give honor to a person in the expression of joy; acknowledge fully, to celebrate fully in praise and with thanks/ being gracious and agreeable.

In North America, Thanksgiving is an annual and national holiday to celebrate and commemorate a harvest festival began by the Pilgrims in 1621. Thanksgiving is always held on the fourth Thursday in the month of November.

When this tradition began, the celebration was a gathering following the Mayflower’s arrival at Plymouth Rock. The Pilgrims suffered and lost 46 of the 102 colonist aboard the Mayflower traveling to the new world. With the help of the Indians, the remaining Pilgrims were able to survive the bitter winter and yield a bountiful harvest in 1621. In celebration, a traditional English harvest festival lasting three days brought the Pilgrims and the Natives together to celebrate the first Thanksgiving.

In 1777, all colonies adopted and participated in the celebration because of the victory over England. George Washington proclaimed it a national holiday in 1789 and Lincoln proclaimed the celebration would occur on the last Thursday in November in 1863. Congress sanctioned it as a legal holiday in 1941.

As this story unfolds, think about the following points:

• This was a gathering of unity. It is refreshing when people gather together for a common purpose and a common goal.
• This is a time of reconciliation of our differences and a time for healing and sharing our victories as well as our struggles. We find strength and hope in each other.
• We can teach the young about our traditions. Stories are retold for each generation which brings purpose and the significance of their heritage and family history.
• A prayer of Thanksgiving before a meal unites the family in celebration with the most beautiful act of gratitude. The prayer brings honor to God who is due all honor.
• By being thankful, we can express and extend help to those less fortunate by offering and extending help.
• The true meaning of thankfulness focuses on a relationship with God, which gives us life and helps man need his daily needs.
• Thanksgiving honors God as our faithful provider and for His abounding blessings.

The greatest act God did for humankind was to send His only Son to die for the sins of the world. In exchange, salvation was made available for us because Jesus willingly chose to die for us. Jesus formed the bridge so we could have access to the Father in Heaven.

If you have not received Jesus as Savior and Lord, say a prayer thanking God for the beautiful gift He offers.  Say Father, I am thankful for Jesus and I receive Him now as my Lord and Savior. I thank you that I am your son or daughter and my destination is in Heaven. Thank you so much. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.