When you think about thanksgiving, what comes to mind? Pilgrims dressed in black and white sitting down to a long table with Native Americans? Most of us probably picture something similar to the painting from 1914 titled “The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth.”
But is that how it really happened? Surprisingly, the painting may not be too far off. Consider the description by one of the original 53 surviving Mayflower passengers, Gilbert Winslow, “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 fruits of our labors.” It would seem that the completion of harvest, fowl (turducken anyone?) and rejoicing before God have been part of the thanksgiving celebration from day one.
There were other elements which were included in Thanksgiving…for example, sports. However, instead of throwing around pigskin, they preferred to let off a few rounds:
At which time, amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst 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. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.
Mourt’s Relation
Plenty? The Goodness of God? We must remember that the 53 present at this first Thanksgiving the fall of 1621 were only half the number of those who departed for Plymouth Rock the year prior. It is amazing that after the many who perished they can still speak to God’s blessings.
Also very interesting, in this story, is the relationship they shared with the native inhabitants. He mentions some ninety Native American men joining the feast. It is truly remarkable to see two very different cultures joined together in a meal of thanksgiving.
It makes me think of how Paul describes the celebration of the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” The Lord’s Supper is described here as a thanksgiving. Many diverse people united together around a shared loaf…sounds similar to the thanksgiving that would take place 1600 years later.
As we enter this month of giving thanks there is no one for whom this time is more meaningful than for us who are followers of Jesus Christ. For we celebrate, in general, the bountiful provision of our God as those who are blessed to live in a country where we enjoy significant freedoms. In view of the fact that these freedoms are increasingly threatened, it is also good to remember that it was for religious freedom that the pilgrims sought refuge in a new land. But we also celebrate, more particularly, a more profound freedom from sin that was purchased through our Lord’s death on the cross and an even deeper unity produced by our shared redemption.
As we look to our national celebration on Thanksgiving Day, may we all share a heightened awareness of the blessed freedoms we enjoy. May we also, as pictured in both thanksgivings mentioned above, be reminded of the goodness of sharing a meal with others. Whether it is on Thanksgiving Day, or even a simple meal shared with another family after church, there is something rich about table fellowship with those outside of our family as an expression of our gratitude to God and our willingness to share our abundance, and our lives, with others.
Our youth have provided a great example for us in their twice monthly sharing of meals together. We would do well to follow their lead. When is the last time you invited a fellow believer for a time of fellowship in your home? Why not invite someone to extend Christian fellowship in this month of Thanksgiving? Sharing our blessings with others—I can think of few better and more tangible ways to express our thanksgiving as those who are truly blessed!
Thankfully, Pastor Dan