* THANKSGIVING IN THE UNITED STATES

 This Thanksgiving I thought it worthwhile to send again the following short piece which has been sent out at several previous Thanksgivings. 

   

I also think it good to reflect on these scriptures at this time:

 

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. (Psalm 69:30)

 

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:2 )

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6 )

 

 

 

 

THE HISTORY OF THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY IN THE US

 

 

Throughout the 1700’s individual colonies evidently held periodic days or times of thanksgiving.  Thomas Jefferson did this while governor of Virginia.

 

In 1777 right in the middle of the Revolutionary War the Colonial Congress recommended a day of thanksgiving.

 

In 1789, the first year of the first presidency of the US under the new Constitution, George Washington issued a proclamation establishing a day of thanksgiving that year.  Here are a few of his words from the proclamation: 

 

• it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour…
• I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be…
• we may … unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions

Abraham Lincoln finally established legally the annual holiday we observe on the fourth Thursday of November each year.  Here are a few words from his proclamation:

 

I do …invite my fellow citizens …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.

 

May all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and offer thanks then – and everyday – just as these great past leaders of the nation led the nation in doing. 

 

                                                                                                      November 2025

 

                                                                                                      Copyright © 2025 by John Newlin

 

Please forward copies of this to whomever you would.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS!

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