Thanksgiving Day is a great holiday that I enjoy celebrating each year because there are so many aspects about this holiday that are special to me: It's always meaningful each year to attend Mass on Thanksgiving Day morning as a way to present myself before God in thanksgiving at the Eucharist, and then to enjoy good foods later on, especially my favorite, turkey. This holiday also combines patriotism and faith in a single occasion, two principles that are important in my life, because this holiday touches upon important aspects of the Christian life and has origins in our national experience of the United States.
Thanksgiving Day was November 26, 1789, by proclamation of President George Washington on October 3, 1789. Then, 74 years later, President Abraham Lincoln, on October 3, 1863, proclaimed Thanksgiving Day as an annual holiday.
Looking at both proclamations, I notice similar themes, demonstrating that it is an occasion that raises the mind and spirits to consider lofty ideas. Both recognize the many blessings the US people have experienced, and that's especially telling in 1863 as a terrible war raged, as well as in 1789, after years of conflict with Britain and then arduous efforts to stabilize the US government. Our history has much to offer us for consideration in facing the challenges of our present day.
Both proclamations acknowledge God as the source of these blessings and exhort the American people on Thanksgiving Day to turn unto God to thank Him for His blessings that He bestowed on us in His mercy despite our wrongdoings, to seek His pardon for transgressions, and to continue calling upon His favor, especially for those who serve in government, and those afflicted by conflict.
My life's experience has demonstrated to me over and over that in any circumstances, there is always something to be thankful for, because God, ever merciful, continues to manifest His blessings to us, even the blessing of His very presence and the life He gives each of us.
The reality of God's presence and His continued, sustained goodness toward us demonstrate that we can always give thanks for those things that are most important in life, especially because they persist in challenging times, and in times of prosperity.
Since they persist, we have reason to continue the spirit of gratitude each day, which has a significant impact in our lives, in our country, and in our world, as we open our eyes to the goodness and blessings of God all around us that is there all the time. So we go forth to live with purpose, as we make much of what we have, because we are grateful for it all.
Thanks be to God!
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