Every year for several years now I’ve watched in frustration as society and especially advertisers and businesses jump from Halloween directly into the Christmas holiday. Now I’m fully aware of Christmas’ pagan beginnings in the pre-Christian era and the irreverent celebration of it in contemporary society, but I am not anti-Christmas as some of the brethren are.
However, Thanksgiving has a distinctly Christian origin and a Biblical precedent. I believe American’s skipping this wonderful holiday is telling. Though Thanksgiving goes back way before the Pilgrims, yet it has long been associated with them and I think for good reason. Remember, Plimouth (Plymouth) was not the first settlement of England in the New World as Jamestown was much older. Our founding fathers associated America’s birth with the Pilgrims not Jamestown. Why? We believe GOD’S plan for America began with them. The Mayflower Compact, I believe, constitutes America’s Covenant with GOD!
MAYFLOWER COMPACT: In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the eleventh of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Dom. 1620.
Notice the reason for starting here; “…the glory of GOD and the advancement of the Christian faith…”. That’s what America was all about! No, the Pilgrims did not give thanks to the Indians (Native Americans). But they did give thanks to GOD for HIS blessings and for the Indians. Let us as Christians NEVER forget it and shine the light of this truth that many have been taught to forget.
Also of note, many claim the Pilgrims didn’t care for King James I but notice the words in the Compact. It is also claimed falsely that they only used the Geneva Bible because of their distrust of King James, however the King James Bible was on the Mayflower! www.wnd.com/2007/02/39977/