A Few Simple Thanksgiving Traditions
Thanksgiving is a such a warm, wonderful holiday. Family and friends join together to give thanks, to partake of a delicious meal, and to enjoy each other’s company -- just as the Pilgrims and native Americans did so many years ago.
I have heard stories of the first Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember, but this year, more than ever before, I realized what incredible faith and commitment the Pilgrims had. They, like our Founding Fathers, truly committed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to obeying the will of God.
They left their family and friends, their native land, their comfort and security, and more than half gave their lives - all to worship God in the way they believed He wanted.
And they did it with great faith, even when everything went wrong.
They did it with great love for God, even when He didn’t deliver them from indescribable suffering and hardships.
They did it with great courage, even when the obstacles appeared insurmountable.
And they did it with gratitude in their hearts, even when their daily food ration was just five kernels of corn.
So, as we enjoy a great feast with friends and loved ones, let’s take time to give thanks to God, to retell the story of the Pilgrims and the incredible price they paid, and to recommit ourselves to pay the price to be true in our day.
Here are a few ideas:
Read Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation that set aside the first “official” Thanksgiving holiday.
Listen to Ronald Reagan’s 1 1/2 minute Thanksgiving message.
Talk about Squanto, the wonderful friend of the Pilgrims, who overcame great trials in his life and used the resulting strengths and talents he developed to reach out and help the Pilgrims.
Tell about the hardships the Pilgrims went through and the significance of five kernels of corn.
Watch The True Meaning of Thanksgiving.
I have heard stories of the first Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember, but this year, more than ever before, I realized what incredible faith and commitment the Pilgrims had. They, like our Founding Fathers, truly committed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to obeying the will of God.
They left their family and friends, their native land, their comfort and security, and more than half gave their lives - all to worship God in the way they believed He wanted.
And they did it with great faith, even when everything went wrong.
They did it with great love for God, even when He didn’t deliver them from indescribable suffering and hardships.
They did it with great courage, even when the obstacles appeared insurmountable.
And they did it with gratitude in their hearts, even when their daily food ration was just five kernels of corn.
So, as we enjoy a great feast with friends and loved ones, let’s take time to give thanks to God, to retell the story of the Pilgrims and the incredible price they paid, and to recommit ourselves to pay the price to be true in our day.
Here are a few ideas:
Read Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation that set aside the first “official” Thanksgiving holiday.
Listen to Ronald Reagan’s 1 1/2 minute Thanksgiving message.
Talk about Squanto, the wonderful friend of the Pilgrims, who overcame great trials in his life and used the resulting strengths and talents he developed to reach out and help the Pilgrims.
Tell about the hardships the Pilgrims went through and the significance of five kernels of corn.
Watch The True Meaning of Thanksgiving.