Here are a few excerpts from President Abe Lincoln when he decided to begin a national tradition of Thanksgiving, by making it a holiday at the end of November. It has since been officially moved to the fourth Thursday of November. But the focus of giving God thanks is important to note. Thanksgiving is more than a holiday, it’s a recognition of all God has done in our lives and in our country! I’m grateful that the whole nation stops to honor God in this way. And thanks to good ‘ole Abe for making it official!
“The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God . . . . It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens . . . to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience . . . 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 the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.”
OTHER POSTS…
7 Practical thoughts about prayer before meals
Follow www.twitter.com/timpriceblog