The first Thanksgiving to God in the Calvinist tradition in Plymouth Colony was actually celebrated during the summer of 1623, when the colonists declared a Thanksgiving holiday after their crops were saved by much-needed rainfall. |
So, I Googled it, and, I am very proud to say that I found some very interesting information not only for the children, but, as a sober reminder to we American adults that have been hoodwinked into thinking Thanksgiving is about food, football, fun and Fridays that are black.
The primary article I read and took portions from is published by "A Puritan's Mind - The First Thanksgiving". This article is a must read for those who are as inquisitive as me relative to finding the truth about so many wonderful things we think we know, especially when it comes to the faith of our Founders and the great majority of our countrymen throughout the two plus centuries our great country has been in existence. It highlights the wonderful truths similar to the first statement above; "The first Thanksgiving to God...." and then goes through a chronological listing and expansion on the official "Proclamations" made by our forebears, our leaders and, finally, our Presidents.
I love how the article reminds us of what most of us "Baby-Boomers" were taught in elementary school of how the Puritans were a religiously afflicted people seeking after their freedom to worship in accordance with their Biblical beliefs. How a document exists to this day called, the Mayflower Compact, that was signed by the members of the first group to disembark in the Plymouth region of what has become the state of Massachusetts. How this document became our original divine manifestation of our commitment to the Biblical God and Jesus Christ, His Son and our Redeemer. I love it when we find real evidence of our Thanksgiving to God initiated by our forefathers.
This document that was signed by the original colonists in 1620. Read what it says; ".... for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith....". Is there any question after that why the Puritans came here and what their focus was? I'm glad to see it so clearly displayed in the most original of our historical documents.
With this document and the article above I guess I have enough information to conduct a short treatise on the beginnings of Thanksgiving. I know it would probably bore the gang to death, so I will keep it short and sweet. You might consider putting together something like this for your own family. It really is enlightening to read about the real Thanksgiving to God.
Thanks for visiting. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
In Him
Bill