Being thus arrived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof.
These are the words of William Bradford recounting the Pilgrims' arrival at Plymouth Bay in 1620. Though many myths have sprung up about the Pilgrims, history confirms that the Pilgrims were a people devoted to God in life and government. After enduring great hardships and heartbreak the Lord blessed them with bountiful provision, and the Pilgrims held a celebration of thankfulness with food, fun, and rejoicing with the native inhabitants.
With our Pilgrim heritage in mind, Abraham Lincoln officially made Thanksgiving a national holiday amid the hardships of the Civil War. His words in 1863 still ring true almost a century and a half later.
We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown.
Our nation's presidents continue to honor Thanksgiving. On November 15 President George W. Bush issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation for 2007.
We Americans often take for granted the amazing privileges and benefits we possess under our unique form of government. In a helpful piece at National Review British-born writer Mark Steyn reminds us that in our written Constitution we have a treasure that is the envy of the world and exceedingly worthy of our great thanksgiving.
And this editorial from the Wall Street Journal, which has been published annually since 1961, expresses the feelings of travelers who have learned to cherish their country.
Thanksgiving has also become a time to enjoy and appreciate our families. The family is a gracious gift from God and the health of our families is a sure indication of the health of our nation. It is thus fitting that the President has proclaimed this Thanksgiving week "National Family Week." This Thanksgiving, remember to thank the Lord for the many blessings He so graciously bestows.
Happy Thanksgiving from AdvanceUSA!
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I Thessalonians 5:18