Thanksgiving: What's Really Behind the Turkey and Stuffing?
Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving proclamation during the depths of the Civil War gives fresh insights into the real meaning of Thanksgiving.
When you think of Thanksgiving, what thoughts come to mind? Perhaps you envision the enjoyment of your family around the dinner table and all that accompanies that scene: the laughter and love, the delicious meal with all the trimmings and, perhaps, a football game or two on TV.
America is the most affluent nation that the world has ever seen. Consider just one fact to illustrate this point: America's gross domestic product accounts for close to a quarter of the world total!
Source of blessings?
Question: Can we Americans really take credit for all of the blessings that we have come to enjoy? Are these blessings simply a result of our hard work, our risk taking, our ingenuity? Are we Americans the architect of this greatness? Could there be another power behind the scenes that we truly should give thanks to for the lifestyles that we enjoy today?
During one of the greatest conflicts that the United States has ever faced, the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln was moved to proclaim a day of Thanksgiving. Please note where his emphasis lay in making that 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...
"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" (Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. 6, edited by Roy P. Basler, emphasis added).
Abraham Lincoln's comment bears repeating: "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…"
Challenging questions
During this season of giving thanks, let's ask challenging questions about why America has been so blessed. Questions such as:
Why has this nation been so favorably blessed over the nations that have preceded us in history?
If, as President Lincoln states, our blessings have come from the hand of "the Most High God," does the Bible have anything to say about the United States in prophecy?
Does it make any sense that the Bible would discuss, in detail, smaller nations with limited international impact and not discuss the mightiest nation that has ever been?
If the Bible does discuss the United States of America, what does it have to say regarding our future?
People are continually seeking "inside information" regarding the future. God's Word, the Bible, does discuss in great detail the future of the United States. These prophecies will have a tremendous impact on your life and the life of your loved ones.
Shouldn't you take the time to investigate what God says about your future? This investigation will not cost you much—just some of your time. The rewards of this investigation will produce great benefits for you and your family.
The United Church of God, an International Association has a booklet that is available to you free of charge titled The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy. This booklet will give you the reason this nation has risen to greatness and why it is that we can truly give "thanks" on Thanksgiving Day.
Just as important, this booklet will give you valuable insights into what the future holds for you and your family. Shouldn't you take the opportunity to investigate what God says He has in mind for your future?
Course Content
Randy DAlessandro
Randy D’Alessandro served as pastor for the United Church of God congregations in Chicago, Illinois, and Beloit, Wisconsin, from 2016-2021. Randy previously served in Raleigh, North Carolina (1984-1989); Cookeville, Tennessee (1989-1993); Parkersburg, West Virginia (1993-1997); Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan (1997-2016).
Randy first heard of the church when he was 15 years old and wanted to attend services immediately but was not allowed to by his parents. He quit the high school football and basketball teams in order to properly keep the Sabbath. From the time that Randy first learned of the Holy Days, he kept them at home until he was accepted to Ambassador College in Pasadena, California in 1970.
Randy and his wife, Mary, graduated from Ambassador College with BA degrees in Theology. Randy was ordained an elder in September 1979.
