Thanksgiving- It's Not Just for Pilgrims Anymore
Back in the 90s when I taught 3rd grade in the public school, I attempted to have a little fun while learning. (This was ages before Common Core and billions of "important" tests throughout the year.) My favorite thing was to put together a little class play. I would dole out the parts, make a mini set out of refrigerator boxes, and whip up some easy costumes. We would talk about projection and enunciation and expression. The kids really got into it. I mean, this is definitely better than math, right?
One year we performed a cute little Thanksgiving play for all the other 3rd grade classes, (five I think). We made Indian vests out of paper grocery bags, Pilgrim hats out of construction paper, etc. It was Tony-worthy I assure you. In my mind, it was a creative way to bring history to life through an enjoyable learning experience. And I think it did. We certainly enjoyed it and were satisfied with our efforts.
But as Thanksgiving time rolls around again this year, I wonder how accurate our little play was. I think about the books I read to my children today with the cute little illustrations of the Pilgrims. There they are in their starched black suits and their perfect hats, their bright white bonnets and their clean billowy dresses. Somehow this seems a tad erroneous. Oh- I believe in the Pilgrims, and the Indians, and turkeys. I'm just not sure how accurate this portrayal may be.
An Honest Look at the Pilgrims
In reality, this 1620 group wasn't even commonly referred to as "Pilgrims" until 1820. Originally known as "Old Comers," these resilient people had been through many hardships leading up to this "Thanksgiving" moment. Many were known as Puritans who had illegally broken away from the Church of England. I don't know about you, but that alone sounds horrible! This wasn't a small thing. We have no way to equate that in our current society. It was a BIG DEAL. There was no religious tolerance. Thousands had died for such. Escaping to the Netherlands for a time, the group was in danger of losing their English language and heritage. Plans were made to make the dangerous voyage to a relatively unknown new world in hopes of gaining religious freedom while preserving their culture. Was this easy? Was this a spur of the moment decision? Had they heard the stories of Roanoke? What about Jamestown? Surely, they knew the odds were against them.
Fast forward to the first Thanksgiving. What had the remaining "Old Comers" endured? Loss of an accompanying ship, rough seas, storms, arrival at an alternate destination, living on the Mayflower for a month after landing, sickness, disease, hunger, frostbite, and death. DEATH. More than half of the settlers died the first winter. Imagine watching your loved ones, your husband, your child starving. . . freezing. . . and dying. I CAN'T IMAGINE.
As a mother I would rather be the one. I would rather experience the sickness, the disease, or the death. But to WATCH MY FAMILY DIE. It's unimaginable.
God sent natives to help these people. Some were able to hang on and survive. And we know that in the fall of 1621 they celebrated the first Thanksgiving. We imagine turkey, corn, pumpkin, and the like. Did they wear their cleanly starched suits and aprons? What about their shiny buckled shoes? It's hard to imagine that after the most horrific year of their lives that they would even resemble the freshly pressed, pink-cheeked Pilgrums we often imagine. Were they ragged? Gaunt? Sickly? Exhausted? Most likely.
But we are told that they were thankful. After the impossible situations they had endured. After watching the decline and deaths of their loved ones. After the unending work of survival.
They were thankful.
Isn't this the part where 21st century humans shake their fists at God?
Where we wonder, "Where is God?"
Where we turn away in anger?
We do these things under much less significant circumstances than these.
Why Thanksgiving?
Instead of cursing God, or shaking their fists in the air, these steadfast Old Comers thanked God for His provision, for sending saviors in the form of natives, for saving their lives. These believers are the epitome of praising in the storm. Their faith, trust, and hope were not in this world. They were confident that their deceased loved ones had a better home awaiting.
They believed that:
". . . God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
14 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."
18 "For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not bear the command, 'If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.' 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, 'I am full of fear and trembling.' 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, 'Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.' 27 This expression, 'Yet once more,' denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:18-28
One year we performed a cute little Thanksgiving play for all the other 3rd grade classes, (five I think). We made Indian vests out of paper grocery bags, Pilgrim hats out of construction paper, etc. It was Tony-worthy I assure you. In my mind, it was a creative way to bring history to life through an enjoyable learning experience. And I think it did. We certainly enjoyed it and were satisfied with our efforts.But as Thanksgiving time rolls around again this year, I wonder how accurate our little play was. I think about the books I read to my children today with the cute little illustrations of the Pilgrims. There they are in their starched black suits and their perfect hats, their bright white bonnets and their clean billowy dresses. Somehow this seems a tad erroneous. Oh- I believe in the Pilgrims, and the Indians, and turkeys. I'm just not sure how accurate this portrayal may be.
An Honest Look at the Pilgrims
In reality, this 1620 group wasn't even commonly referred to as "Pilgrims" until 1820. Originally known as "Old Comers," these resilient people had been through many hardships leading up to this "Thanksgiving" moment. Many were known as Puritans who had illegally broken away from the Church of England. I don't know about you, but that alone sounds horrible! This wasn't a small thing. We have no way to equate that in our current society. It was a BIG DEAL. There was no religious tolerance. Thousands had died for such. Escaping to the Netherlands for a time, the group was in danger of losing their English language and heritage. Plans were made to make the dangerous voyage to a relatively unknown new world in hopes of gaining religious freedom while preserving their culture. Was this easy? Was this a spur of the moment decision? Had they heard the stories of Roanoke? What about Jamestown? Surely, they knew the odds were against them.
Fast forward to the first Thanksgiving. What had the remaining "Old Comers" endured? Loss of an accompanying ship, rough seas, storms, arrival at an alternate destination, living on the Mayflower for a month after landing, sickness, disease, hunger, frostbite, and death. DEATH. More than half of the settlers died the first winter. Imagine watching your loved ones, your husband, your child starving. . . freezing. . . and dying. I CAN'T IMAGINE.
As a mother I would rather be the one. I would rather experience the sickness, the disease, or the death. But to WATCH MY FAMILY DIE. It's unimaginable.
God sent natives to help these people. Some were able to hang on and survive. And we know that in the fall of 1621 they celebrated the first Thanksgiving. We imagine turkey, corn, pumpkin, and the like. Did they wear their cleanly starched suits and aprons? What about their shiny buckled shoes? It's hard to imagine that after the most horrific year of their lives that they would even resemble the freshly pressed, pink-cheeked Pilgrums we often imagine. Were they ragged? Gaunt? Sickly? Exhausted? Most likely.
But we are told that they were thankful. After the impossible situations they had endured. After watching the decline and deaths of their loved ones. After the unending work of survival.
They were thankful.
Isn't this the part where 21st century humans shake their fists at God?
Where we wonder, "Where is God?"
Where we turn away in anger?
We do these things under much less significant circumstances than these.
Why Thanksgiving?
Instead of cursing God, or shaking their fists in the air, these steadfast Old Comers thanked God for His provision, for sending saviors in the form of natives, for saving their lives. These believers are the epitome of praising in the storm. Their faith, trust, and hope were not in this world. They were confident that their deceased loved ones had a better home awaiting.
They believed that:
". . . God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
They trusted Jesus' words:
And although they had been shaken to the core, they had hope in a promise:
25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, 'Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.' 27 This expression, 'Yet once more,' denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:18-28
Created things can be shaken!
AN UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM remains.
Let's tell our children this. Let's make sure they understand.
This Thanksgiving holiday that we celebrate was offered as "an acceptable service with reverence and awe" even after all of the tragedy, hardships, and heart-breaking loss.
- Ships can be crushed in a storm,
- hunger can ravage,
- disease can weaken,
- sorrow can overwhelm,
- belief can waver,
- hope can wane,
- mortal man dies.
AN UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM remains.
Let's tell our children this. Let's make sure they understand.
This Thanksgiving holiday that we celebrate was offered as "an acceptable service with reverence and awe" even after all of the tragedy, hardships, and heart-breaking loss.
What about Us?
What are we experiencing today?
Maybe it is prosperity, good health, hope, or love.
OR
Maybe it is uncertainty, sickness, fear, loss, or death.
OR
Maybe a little bit of all the these.
Maybe it is prosperity, good health, hope, or love.
OR
Maybe it is uncertainty, sickness, fear, loss, or death.
OR
Maybe a little bit of all the these.
Whatever the circumstances, can we, as the Old Comers did, thank God? Can we 16 "Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for (us) in Christ Jesus?" (I Thess. 5:16-18)
We CAN demonstrate thanksgiving, or gratitude, to God, because we believe that we will receive an UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM!
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