thanksgiving with a lowercase ‘t’
Have you noticed how people change their temperament as Thanksgiving Day draws near? Even though the lines get longer at the store, to-do lists grow a mile long and schedules seem busier than ever, people seem more patient with one another, more thoughtful and more openly thankful. The spirit that culminates in this single day of year seeps into our souls as the first scent of pumpkin spice is released.
Thanksgiving Day earns the spot as many people’s favorite holiday of the year with sentiments of heart-warming family gatherings, mouth-watering smells of turkey, pie, and cool brisk air that finally warrants a sweater after the long hot summer – that alone worth celebrating here in Texas. Even still, I continue to be amazed at how successfully our nation has stripped away any spiritual inspiration for the holidays that we celebrate.
Thanksgiving Day was originally established as a national holiday on October 3, 1863 by Abraham Lincoln. And in his proclamation about the meaning behind this day, it is undeniable that God was intended to be the central focus.
I’ve included a complete transcript of Lincoln’s letter at the end of this post but have broken up a few of the key thoughts for us to digest slowly, as my mother always said to take small bites. In comparing Lincoln’s words with scripture, we will see that the core of his message, inspired by God’s word is reflective of many of Paul’s letters to the early church.
TRUE thanksgiving ACKNOWLEDGES THE SOURCE
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. (Lincoln, 1863)
The acknowledgement of God’s provision and blessings found in these words is so bold and powerful that I myself am convicted as someone who is so accustomed to enjoying gifts that I’m prone to forget the source from which they come. It seems that we can so often fall into a habit of being thankful FOR SOMETHING instead of thankful TO SOMEONE.
Lincoln’s opening statement reflects Paul’s teaching that “since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
TRUE thanksgiving REQUIRES HUMILITY
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. (Lincoln, 1863)
Sin nature defaults our hearts into a place of ingratitude, which is rooted in pride. Paul counters our temptation to find pride by reminding us that it was “by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
TRUE thanksgiving FOSTERS UNITY
It has seemed to me fit and proper that [the gracious gifts of God] should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. (Lincoln, 1863)
Lincoln was serving a divided nation that desperately needed unity, and his words resonate still today. Paul encouraged a similar sentiment in Colossians 3:15 as he reminded the church to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” And as this singular body, Paul taught them that “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).
Through the parallel messages of Lincoln and Paul, we find that true thanksgiving (with a lowercase “t”) calls for a bit of a different perspective than we might naturally apply on this holiday. A humble, God-centered position of thanks that inspires unity. As we gather to celebrate with friends and family, may we all remember to acknowledge the ultimate source of every good gift that we have received through God’s lovingkindness, provision and mercy. (James 1:17)
-
Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
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. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. 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 in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent 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, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and 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, tranquility and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State
