Count your Blessings this Thanksgiving!!

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged at present as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It was not until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

The word, “Thanksgiving” evokes images of football, family reunions, roasted turkey with stuffing, pumpkin pie and, of course, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag, the acknowledged founders of the feast.

Giving thanks for the Creator’s gifts had always been a part of Wampanoag daily life. From ancient times, native people of North America have held ceremonies to give thanks for successful harvests, for the hope of a good growing season in the early spring, and for other good fortunes. Giving thanks was, and still is, the primary reason for ceremonies or celebrations.

Thanksgiving is important as it acknowledges God in the situation.

On this occasion, let’s all sing a hymn for the almighty-

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Thank God for what he has done for us. Too often, we focus just on the horrid things, let us take time every day to verbalize or write what we are thankful for.

Thank the Lord for the beauty of the seasons, health and strength, for the people to love and people who love us, and for loving us first.

If you’re thankful and you know it, shout AMEN!