Thanksgiving was likely first observed in America in 1621 by Pilgrims and Native Americans. In our new nation President George Washington, at the request of Congress, designated the last Thursday of November as “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
While definitely a day with religious overtones, it has been widely observed as a time for gratitude by people of many faiths or no faith.
When I think of religious roots to Thanksgiving, I think of “Sukkot,” the biblical Feast of Booths or the Festival of Ingathering, when the Hebrews would set aside seven days after the harvest of grain and grapes to celebrate the generosity of God (Deuteronomy 16:13-15). Both the first day and the day after the feast (day eight) were Sabbath days—days without work, days reflecting the idea that both work and rest are good for humankind, given and protected by the command of God (Leviticus 23:33-35).
Thanksgiving has been kept amazingly free of secular commercialism. In 1939, President Roosevelt moved the observance up a week from its traditional day as the last Thursday of November, thinking the economy would benefit from more shopping days before Christmas. Not only was there a big uproar, there was no proof that the change brought any seasonal financial benefit.
Sadly today more and more retail stores are encroaching upon Thanksgiving by backing up the mad-rush shopping of “Black Friday” into Thanksgiving Thursday. Many major retailers are trying to one-up competitors by opening earlier on Thanksgiving than before, and others are opening on Thanksgiving for the first time. “Now Thanksgiving is slowly becoming just another shopping day,” the Associated Press reported.
This commercializing of the day also means more people will have to work in lieu of time spent with family and the celebration meal. While this may be voluntary for many, I know it is not optional for some retail workers.
I’m generally not a fan of boycotts, but I’d sure support a refusal to either work or shop on Thanksgiving unless really necessary. I’d like to see proof that this commercial desecration of Thanksgiving Day actually proves to be a net financial gain to merchants. Even if it does, profits should not be our god.
There is wisdom and merit in the traditional American heritage of this day and in the ancient Festival of Ingathering. Unencumbered by the usual daily demands, we can rest and enjoy company we love. We can prepare and celebrate a feast of thankfulness and make a generous gift to feed others in need. We can bow our heads in deep gratitude for our precious American liberties.
And (with thoughts taken from Acts 14:17) in prayer and song we can honor God, who has shown his kindness to us by giving rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, providing us with plenty of food and filling our hearts with joy.
I hope and pray all of you have a most joyous Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Season.
Donald P. Shoemaker is pastor emeritus, Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.
