Proclaiming Thanks

This Thursday, we’ll gather around the table with loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving. But, do you know the origins of the holiday?

Of course, you may be familiar with the story of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Mass., who shared a feast with the local Native Americans in the autumn of 1621. After that, days of thanks occasionally took place in New England settlements.

The holiday was first celebrated nationwide 168 years later. During his first year as president, George Washington signed a proclamation on Oct. 3, 1789, for a National Day of Thanksgiving.

And it wasn’t just a day to be generally thankful. It was a day to praise and worship God—especially for the successful start of this fledgling nation.

“Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.”

It’s easy to forget the “why” behind a holiday in the midst of trying to execute the perfect gathering. But in the chaos of cooking the turkey, not burning the pie, and entertaining guests and family, let’s not forget that this day of thanks is to “the service of that great and glorious Being.” 

As President Washington said, let us “all unite in rendering unto [God] our sincere and humble thanks” for “all the good that was, that is, or that will be.”

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. -Psalm 106:1

For the complete Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789, click here.