Day Twenty Eight - The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe

1914, Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal, Leiden. Oil on canvas, 30” x 39⅛”

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

It is at this time of year that we give thanks for the bounty provided for us. We celebrated our harvest here a few months ago, last month Canada celebrated and, of course, in the United States the celebration of Thanksgiving took place this week.

As a Christian I am always puzzled by, and not at all comfortable with, the term ‘thanksgiving’ applying to only a certain time of year. Rather like the festive period is sometimes referred to as the ‘season of goodwill’. As Christians surely every day should be a day of thanksgiving and of goodwill? These two concepts are at the very heart of our belief. Love God and love your neighbour.

Thanksgiving and goodwill. Like so many of our beliefs these are shared by those of other religions, those of none, and have their origins back in pagan times. But it is important to remember for us, not just as Christians, but as non-conformists and dissenters, the sacrifices that were made by our forebears, whose utter faith in God and dogged determination should be a lesson for us all.

In mid-September 1620, the Mayflower set sail from the English coast. The men, women and children aboard had been forced to flee for rejecting the established Church of England, first to Holland and then, as war was looming and times difficult, to finally set sail for the New World to pursue a fresh start in a land where they hoped they would be able to worship freely. It is almost 400 years to the day that the first of these determined individuals stepped ashore in New England. However, that first winter was harsh and many perished. With an astonishing determination and with the aid, kindness, and teaching of the local tribes the newcomers not only survived, but enjoyed a bountiful harvest the year after, for which they praised the Lord.

This is the story of ‘thanksgiving’, the hardship, determination, and faith of which we will do well to remember when we sit in our warm houses, eating and drinking as we please. This year has been difficult for many. As well as the Covid-19 pandemic we have been constantly hearing about perceived injustice, inequality and racism, but rarely hear people being thankful for what they have. Yes, our past has not been without blemish, but it has made us what we are today, an open, welcoming and tolerant society.

God gives us free grace in the form of benefit, the least we can do is to show gratitude. So, let us think about God’s way, taught to us through Jesus Christ, and be thankful for all within our lives.

Loving Father, please allow us to be thankful for what we have rather than crave what we do not, to accept rather than blame, to appreciate the glory You provide, and let us always respond to Your Grace in the only appropriate way, with gratitude. Amen.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Gwyn Davies

[This is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art.]