A friend of mine on Twitter, who goes by Millennial Puritan, posted a history of Thanksgiving and why it matters to Christians. I thought I would share it here so you can share it with your friends and family as you give thankfulness to God for all his provision!
In 1614, a Patuxet Indian named named Squanto was sold into slavery in Spain and was purchased by a Spanish monk and set free. Squanto was taught English, but above all he was introduced to Christ and was saved. In 1619, Squanto returned to England with the Wampanoag to find his tribe completely wiped out by disease. But in his faith, he did not waver.
Meanwhile in 1608, a group of Christians in Great Britain called the Separatists (similar to the Puritans) fled to Holland for religious freedom. The Separatists only found poverty and a culture that was undoing their Christian values. In 1620, they sold everything and indentured themselves to make a harrowing trip across the Atlantic to the New World in hopes of finding religious freedom.
Aboard the ship known as the Mayflower, William Bradford led 102 individuals on this trek to America. The trip lasted 9 weeks, and was miserable. Many got sick and two people died. A woman gave birth to a child while aboard that ship.
They endured storms and a broken ship. One of those storms blew them (providentially) off course. Their original destination is not known, but likely they were trying to land further south where the weather would have been warmer.
On November 9, 1620, land was sighted and Psalm 100 was read as a prayer of Thanksgiving by William Brewster. The area where they landed was Cape Cod in what would become Massachusetts, and eventually settled in Provincetown Harbor.
They formed a colony under the drafted contract known as the Mayflower Compact, likely drafted by Brewster who had a university education. This was the first statement of self-government in the new world, signed by every adult male. They also elected their new ministers and appointed other church officers.
On December 21, they named their colony Plymouth. The winter was devastating. Half of the pilgrims died, yet survivor remained instead of fleeing back to Great Britain.
The spring of 1621 brought hope and providence as Squanto and the pilgrims met. He was the only Indian in the area that was both a Christian and had the ability to communicate English. (Tell me God isn't in sovereign control of your affairs). Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to hunt, grow corn, and catch fish.
William Bradford, the governor at that time, called Squanto "A special instrument sent of God for good beyond their expectations." Picture how Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt. When he was set free, he became Egypt's second-highest ruler and saved his family from famine and death. Though Squanto being sold into slavery was an evil act, God used it for his glory to save many others.
That fall, their first harvest was so bountiful that Bradford proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving to God. The Pilgrims invited their Indian friends to join who brought venison and wild turkey. They feasted, played games, and above all gave thanks to God... for three whole days! (So see? Those Thanksgiving leftovers are still in the spirit of the holiday!)
Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? Because we honor God for his sovereign goodness and provision over all of our lives, and above all the salvation purchased for us through Jesus Christ that made this story and all of our stories possible.
Happy Thanksgiving!