Thanksgiving in the Midst of a Divided Country

(Lisa Saunders beside the Mayflower II in Plymouth, Mass.)

Just when I was in the midst of grumbling about the work of Thanksgiving, I was inspired by a local history talk in November 2024 on why President Lincoln proclaimed a "Day of National Thanksgiving". He and Secretary of State of Seward wanted to encourage national unity in the midst of the Civil War. 

Before Lincoln was elected president, a speech of his became known for his paraphrasing of Jesus' comment when he said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand” (Matthew 12:25). It makes sense that Lincoln would sign the Thanksgiving proclamation written by Seward in 1863, which includes the following excerpt: "I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, …to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving... And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him …, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union." (For more on Lincoln, Seward and Thanksgiving, by Jeff Ludwig of Seward House, click on Facebook video.)

According to Psychology Today, there are "7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude", which were  summarized in the article's intro statements: "Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Writing in a gratitude journal improves sleep, according to one study." 

Since I'm always trying to get cytomegalovirus (CMV) laws passed to help protect unborn children from a leading cause of birth defects, I try to remember to be thankful for all our leaders -- so they will work together!  “I urge...that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (I Timothy 2:1-2).

If you've never had a chance to visit Plymouth, Massachusetts, the site of the first Thanksgiving, I highly recommend it. Despite half the 102 Mayflower passengers dying their first winter (1620-1621) in Plymouth over 400 years ago, it is estimated that 10 million people in the U.S. descend from a Mayflower passenger -- and most don't even know it! 

My Mayflower ancestor was Richard Warren, one of the half who survived the first winter (many died from scurvy). The Mayflower passengers disembarked too late in the year to build suitable homes and gather food. (Richard Warren’s wife, Elizabeth, and daughters were still in England and came over a few years later). When Richard passed away eight years after landing on “Plymouth Rock” in 1628, it was said of him that he “was a useful instrument; and during his life bore a deep share in the difficulties and troubles of the first settlement of the plantation of New Plymouth”(Pilgrim Hall Museum). I hope it's not said of me that I always complain about the work of a Thanksgiving meal!

For those who like history, the following are some details behind the first Thanksgiving: In March 1621, Massasoit, king or sachem of the Wampanoag Indians, visited Plymouth. Massasoit believed there would be value in having a thriving trade between the two peoples and he also wanted to secure the English as allies against the Narragansetts. That fall of 1621, the first Thanksgiving was celebrated. Richard Warren and the other Mayflower passengers feasted with the Wampanoag Indians to celebrate the colony's first successful harvest. Edward Winslow wrote to a friend: “Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others.”

This year, I am very thankful I don't  have to kill any deer and put on a big spread -- we are eating with family at Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles. Yea! I hope you also find things to be thankful for this holiday season! 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).