#Thanksgiving in #Ferguson, Thanksgiving in #America Riots, fires, racism, division, selfishness and hate have scarred our nations consciousness over the past few days in light of the the case of Michael Brown and Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri. How do we as Americans and human beings move from protesting all that is wrong in our nation, communities and lives on Monday to giving thanks for all that is right in our nation, communities and lives on Thursday? As I reflected on the origins of Thanksgiving, I am reminded how little we have changed. The history of America is tainted by the racism, division, violence and hate between white colonists and Native Americans. The sin nature of man has always drifted societies toward these fatal conclusions. Yet, in the blood stained pages of U.S. history, we see a glimpse of hope, a reason to remember that we are not doomed to repeating the sins of our fathers. This is the story of Thanksgiving: Nearly 400 years ago, in September of 1620, a small ship known as the Mayflower departed from Plymouth, England carrying an assortment of Christians and other adventurers who sought religious freedom and new opportunity in the New World. Over two months later, after great struggle and toil this group of 102 passengers landed near Cape Cod and made their way to Massachusetts Bay where the “Pilgrims” established a new village at Plymouth. The first winter was so brutal in New England that only half of the original passengers survived to see the spring. After moving further ashore, the Pilgrims were astonished to meet an Abenaki Indian who greeted them in English, returning a few days later with a member of the Pawtuxet tribe named Squanto. Squanto would teach the Pilgrims how to survive in this new world and helped them forge an alliance with the Wampanoag tribe that would last for more than 50 years. In November, 1621, after the Pilgrims experienced success with their first fall harvest, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of Native American allies that is now known as America’s “first Thanksgiving.” What brought them together was a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness based on a desire for mutual well being and peace. For the Christian separatists within the Pilgrim population, the provision of the Native American’s guidance and help was surely seen as a blessing from God above. At its core, Thanksgiving is built on a history of two very different cultures with a history of hatred, violence and division coming together with a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness born out of a desire for peace and the well being of each other. Is this not what our country and communities need now more than ever? When we stop seeking to place blame, we can find forgiveness. When we stop demanding our rights we can find cooperation. When we cease to focus on taking what is ours and giving to those in need we discover blessings. When we become a people marked by grace, “saying grace” becomes effortless. As we stop to give thanks on this special day, let’s not forget that the reason and meaning of this day is exactly what our nation and our communities need to heal. Thanksgiving gives us hope that peace is possible, cooperation is attainable, and grace is still amazing. * Source: History of Thanksgiving- history/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 17:31:50 +0000
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