This is the fourth Thanksgiving post I’ve written since starting this blog in 2020 (there is a fifth if I include a day-before post in 2021). I reread them before posting this one (2020, 2021, (2021-2), 2022, 2023) and note that all of them encourage us to focus on the central purpose of the day, which is to give thanks for God’s abundant blessings in our lives.

As always, it’s easy to default to simply enjoying time off while eating a huge meal and watching a football game, whereas it takes some work to be thankful. Thanksgiving Day was set aside as a remembrance of the first Thanksgiving in 1621—now more than 400 years ago—when those 53 courageous men and women gave thanks to God for their first successful harvest in a new land with their native friends.

Take time as you gather around a table to express your gratitude to the Giver of all good things. Below I re-link you to a few resources that I’ve offered before.

By remembering, we cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!

History of Massachusetts: History of the First Thanksgiving
The True Story of That First Thanksgiving
George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789
Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863