Read Time: 5 min 20 sec | Reading Level: 6th Grade

U.S. HISTORY

A History of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a day to pause and thank God for the blessings of the past year. But it didn’t start with mashed potatoes, football, and post-turkey naps. It began long before America was a nation. 

In 1620, the Mayflower landed in what’s now Plymouth, Massachusetts (see the ship’s route here). After a harsh winter, many settlers were weak from hunger and disease. A Native American named Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn, catch fish, and avoid poisonous plants. 

When the colonists harvested their first crops in 1621, Governor William Bradford invited nearby Wampanoag people to join a three-day feast. They ate fish, corn, and venison. You’ll notice pumpkin pie and green bean casserole were missing from their menu (they didn’t have ovens or much sugar). Turkey didn’t become the centerpiece until much later. 

Through the years, colonies and states held their own days of thanksgiving after good harvests or military victories. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving in 1863 to help “heal the wounds of the nation.”

While many Americans see Thanksgiving as a joyful day, others (especially Native communities) use it to remember the losses their ancestors faced. In 1970, a demonstration called The Day of Mourning began in Plymouth. It continues to this day.

These days, Thanksgiving is a federal holiday on the fourth Thursday in November, centered around parades, football, turkey, gratitude, and remembering. 

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Saying “thank you” isn’t just about having good manners for those who follow Jesus. Giving thanks is a Christian virtue—a habit of believers that keeps us focused on the goodness of God. 

"And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:15-17 (CSB) (read full passage)

What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?
Christians give thanks to God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift.

Most of what we know about the first Thanksgiving feast comes from the Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow, who wrote, “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.” 

Everything we have—physical blessings, like food and shelter, and spiritual blessings, like abundant life with Jesus—is a gift from God (James 1:17). Even in desperate times (like the American Indian Wars or the Civil War), believers have so much to thank God for (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

What response do I want to model for my children?
Thanksgiving is a habit—a discipline of faith.

Model for your kids a life of gratitude. Don’t save “thank you” for greeting cards or once-a-year feasts, but make giving thanks and praise to God a family habit. Around the dinner table (not just on Thanksgiving), share how you saw God working that day or what was good instead of lamenting about the hard parts. Make worshiping and praising God in community a priority every week. When you pray, include thanks and praise for who God is and what he has done.

Gratitude is a spiritual discipline for every season of life that draws our hearts nearer to our good Father. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!... Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7 CSB).

• Take time to express what you’re thankful for as you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, acknowledging that everything good in life comes from God.
   

• Memorize Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (CSB).
   

• Offer a prayer of thanksgiving like this one: “Heavenly Father, I come before you today with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you for your countless blessings and your unwavering love. Thank you for the gift of life, for the air I breathe, and for the strength you give me each day. Your grace and mercy sustain me, and I am deeply grateful for your presence in my life. Thank you for my family, friends, and the community you have surrounded me with. Thank you for providing for my needs and for guiding me with your wisdom. Even in times of trial, I thank you for the lessons and the growth that come from trusting in you. Lord, may I never take your blessings for granted. Help me to remain mindful of your goodness and to share your love and kindness with others. I praise your name and give thanks for all that you are and all that you do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”  “15 Prayers of Thanks,” Common Good

CREAM AND SUGAR

Gen Z Word Phrase of the Week: This cranberry relish is giving me life.

Family Fun: Can you find the words from seven praise psalms in this Thanksgiving word search?

Whipped Cream on Top: Those tricky turkeys…

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