Thanksgiving: A Time For Blessings and Reflection

 

Many of you are likely preparing to visit or host with friends and family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Preparing lots of food and making sure everything is just right to impress everyone. While this is all good, we should also take the time to remember what Thanksgiving all is about.

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated in the United States to give thanks for the harvest and blessings of the past year. It is a time when families come together to give thanks for the blessings in their lives and to share a festive meal. Spending Thanksgiving with family is a cherished tradition for many, and for good reason. The history of Thanksgiving dates back to the early 17th century when the Pilgrims, who were English separatists seeking religious freedom, arrived in America aboard the Mayflower in 1620. They settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and faced harsh winter conditions, which led to many deaths.

The following year, in 1621, the Pilgrims formed a relationship with the Wampanoag Native Americans, who taught them how to cultivate corn and other crops. This successful harvest led to a three-day feast, known as the first Thanksgiving, where the Pilgrims and Wampanoag shared a meal to celebrate their newfound friendship and give thanks for the bounty of the land. This event is often considered the inspiration for the modern Thanksgiving holiday.

However, it wasn't until 1863 that Thanksgiving was officially proclaimed a national holiday in the United States. President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and “praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” This proclamation was in response to a campaign by Sarah Josepha Hale, a writer and editor who advocated for a National Day of Thanksgiving to promote unity and heal the wounds of the Civil War.

Over time, Thanksgiving has evolved into a time for families and friends to come together and enjoy a festive meal. Traditional dishes such as roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie are commonly served on Thanksgiving Day. Parades, football games, and shopping sales have also become popular traditions associated with the holiday.

Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for the people in our lives. Family plays a crucial role in shaping who we are and providing support and love throughout our lives. Coming together on Thanksgiving allows us to show appreciation for the love and support our family members provide us each day. It is a time to foster connections and strengthen relationships with family members. In our busy lives, it can be easy to lose touch with loved ones. Spending Thanksgiving together creates an opportunity to reconnect, catch up, and share in each other's lives.

Thanksgiving is a time to create lasting memories with our family members. Whether it's cooking a meal together, playing games, watching football games or sharing stories and laughter around the dinner table, these moments become cherished memories that we can look back on with fondness. Family gatherings offer a sense of unity and support, particularly for those who have lost loved ones, reminding us that we are not alone in this world. This can be especially important during times of hardship or when we are feeling overwhelmed.

It is a time to pass down traditions and values to younger generations. By celebrating Thanksgiving with family, we can share traditions, stories, and values that have been passed down through generations. This helps to instill a sense of identity and belonging in younger family members. Thanksgiving with family encourages communication and bonding. It provides an opportunity for family members to engage in meaningful conversations, express their thoughts and feelings, and strengthen the bonds that connect them.  In a world that is often divided by politics and other factors, coming together as a family on Thanksgiving can remind us of the importance of unity and understanding.

Thanksgiving is a time to practice gratitude and mindfulness. By spending Thanksgiving with family, we can take the time to reflect and thank God for the blessings in our lives and express our gratitude for each other as we cultivate a sense of mindfulness and appreciation for the present moment.

In today's fast-paced world, it is all too easy to lose touch with those who matter most to us, which is why it is important to make a conscious effort to reconnect with them during the Thanksgiving holiday. This is why it is crucial to reach out to family members, especially those who may be far away or who we may not see as often as we would like. Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity as it is a time when families traditionally come together to share a meal and celebrate their blessings. By reaching out to family members, we can strengthen our bonds with them and show them how much they mean to us. While it is easy to lose touch with old friends as we go about our busy lives, Thanksgiving is a great time to reach out to them and reconnect. Whether it is through a phone call, a text message, or a social media post, reaching out to old friends on Thanksgiving can bring back fond memories and rekindle old friendships.

Studies have shown that people with strong social connections are happier, healthier, and more resilient in the face of adversity. By reaching out to family and old friends on Thanksgiving, we can strengthen these connections and reap the benefits of having a strong support system. By reaching out to family and old friends, we can show them how much we appreciate them and how grateful we are to have them in our lives.

Thanksgiving can help us bridge the gap between generations. Thanksgiving is a time when families come together to share stories, traditions, and values, passing them down from one generation to the next. We can learn from their experiences and wisdom, creating a deeper understanding and appreciation of our shared history and heritage.

There is a lot to be thankful for. Count your blessings and be grateful for everything and everyone in your life.

Pray for our first responders and armed forces personnel near and far who may not have the opportunity to spend this holiday with their families.

The members of GVAT wish all of you a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!