Joseph and I were
talking about the Thanksgiving holiday and planning our meal when the subject
of keeping Thanksgiving traditional came up.
I think the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving are true American holidays
so let’s cherish them just as we cherish all the other holidays. America is a “melting pot” and I love to
observe the different cultures within each holiday. I believe it is important to remember America
does have its own culture too. Yes,
America was founded by immigrants, but founded by immigrants with a common purpose. The purpose our country was founded on is our
culture and heritage.
The pilgrims
settled at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620.
Their first winter was devastating, at the beginning of the following
fall, they had lost 46 of the original 102 who sailed on the Mayflower. The harvest of 1621 was a good one and
plentiful. The remaining colonists
decided to celebrate with a feast, including 91 natives who had helped the
Pilgrims survive their first year. It is
believed that the Pilgrims would not have made it through the year without the
help of the natives. The feast was more
of a traditional English harvest festival than a true “thanksgiving”
observance. It lasted three days!
It
has been a long time since I read the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact was written with fair
and equal laws, for the general good of the settlement. The passengers knew that earlier settlers
failed due to a lack of government. They
wrote the Compact for the sake of their own survival.
"In
the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of
our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France
and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&. Having undertaken for the
Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour 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 ourselves together into a civil Body
Politick, 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 hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the
Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the
eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."
Joseph
and I have so much to be thankful for this year. We will feast and celebrate the plentiful
harvest we have in finding each other and establishing our wonderful family. May you all enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and
find joy and happiness in celebrating your harvest this year.
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References:
http://wilstar.com/holidays/thankstr.htm
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