Although other cultures have harvest festivals and days of thanks, but Thanksgiving Day has distinctly Christian origins. Canada has Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, and there are similarities as well as differences between the two.
Due to ungrateful hearts and secularization, many Americans have mainly forgotten the reason for this holiday. Visions of feasting, football, and naps followed by a frantic day of shopping on Friday by the financially blessed tend to crowd its origin from our thoughts. We need to examine our history and priorities.
Unsplash / Kiy Turk |
There are many instances in the Bible where reminders were established to prompt people to remember God's blessings and benefits they had received. They are also teaching aids, since God commands parents to teach their children about the truth. Traditions may vary (you don't want turkey but prefer pizza, fine), but keeping and cherishing an important holiday is important. Don't let secularists and others take it away from you or try to rewrite history.
Today many Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving. Sadly we are losing our focus on the original reason for Thanksgiving as the spiritual state of America continues to decline. Many people in America, or even across the world, may ask, “What is Thanksgiving?” This is an important question and it is even more important to acquire a correct answer. As families gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving, are we reminding our children what Thanksgiving means? While some may describe this day as just an “annual harvest festival,” Thanksgiving was originally established as a reminder to Christians that we should thank God for His many blessings.
For the rest of the article, see "What Is Thanksgiving?"