Thanksgiving is celebrated all over America, and has been for hundreds of years, because of the profound faith and courage of a group of Christian believers, called Pilgrims. These Pilgrims believed that God was calling them to a new land, where they could worship God more freely.
But their decision wasn't easy. Staying in Holland meant greater safety in a civilized land, going to America probably guaranteed religious liberty but the physical risks were enormous and the financial cost of voyage would be very high. They believed God would grant them success. Before departing from Holland the church spent a day in fasting and prayer for the journey ahead.
William Bradford wrote, "They had a great hope and inward zeal of laying a good foundation for the propagating and advancing of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world. Yea, that they should be even as stepping stones unto others."
But their decision wasn't easy. Staying in Holland meant greater safety in a civilized land, going to America probably guaranteed religious liberty but the physical risks were enormous and the financial cost of voyage would be very high. They believed God would grant them success. Before departing from Holland the church spent a day in fasting and prayer for the journey ahead.
William Bradford wrote, "They had a great hope and inward zeal of laying a good foundation for the propagating and advancing of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world. Yea, that they should be even as stepping stones unto others."
They are our stepping stones.
In September of 1620 a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengers—an assortment of the religious separatists mentioned above, seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith, and other individuals lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in the New World. It was a treacherous and uncomfortable crossing that lasted far longer than any had imagined. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see their first New World spring.
In 1621, the surviving colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn
harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving
celebrations in the colonies. They gave thanks to God for three days. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving
were celebrated by individual colonies and states. But it wasn't until 1863, (in the
midst of the Civil War) that President Lincoln proclaimed a national
Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.
Whether you are celebrating Thanksgiving Day or not, I hope you have a blessed day of giving thanks to the Lord.
God bless,
Ashlin
Psalm 107:8, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
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