Okay... so there is still several weeks before Thanksgiving Day gets here. But in light of everyone posting their "Thanks" throughout this month, I figured I'd make an early post as well! However, mine deals more with the historical aspect of the holiday than just my 'thanks'. Those will be posted on a later date!
Some of you know that there are historical disputes on the first 'festival' of thanksgiving, or giving thanks. We technically base our American Thanksgiving holiday on that of the Plymouth pilgrims who celebrated a providential time of thanks during harvest. However, historians have recorded other ceremonies of thanks among European settlers in North America that predate the Pilgrims' celebration. Not only that, but it also seems that the Native Americans also had similar festivals! There is also reason to believe that the pilgrims themselves based their "Thanksgiving" on the ideas of others! Both the Separatists who came over on the Mayflower and the Puritans who arrived soon after brought with them a tradition of providential holidays... days of fasting during difficult or pivotal moments and days of feasting and celebration to thank God in times of plenty.
As you know, thanksgiving is a celebration of a bountiful fall harvest. Historically, the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans feasted and paid tribute to their gods after the fall harvest. But what really struck me was that the idea of a festival or time of thanksgiving also bears a resemblance to the ancient Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot.
Sukkot is a biblical seven day holiday, with the first day celebrated as a full festival with special prayer services and holiday meals. Its celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei (late September to late October). It is mentioned several times in the Old Testament (including Lev. 23:42-43). In fact, it is so significant, it's called "the Feast of the Lord" or simply "the Feast".
So when it comes to our day to celebrate Thanksgiving, remember... let's take the time truly give thanks to the One who has blessed us!
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
~Matt
No comments:
Post a Comment