By John Stenen Many Americans have been taught that the reason the Pilgrims observed Thanksgiving, was to thank the Native Americans for all their assistance in teaching them how to survive after their first devastating and deadly winter.
Of the 102 Pilgrims, half of them died that first winter, as well as many of the ship’s crew. Seven were well enough to care for the sick and take care of all their basic needs. They lived on starvation rations that first winter and often two or three were dying per day. They truly knew what hunger and misery was. However, that first Thanksgiving was giving thanks to God.
When given their own private land, the crops grew in abundance and they invited the Indians to rejoice with them as they gave praise and thanks to God. When reading William Brewster’s account of those days, (he was the second Governor after John Carver who died in 1621) I couldn’t help but see that these Pilgrims gave Thanks to God, even when times were terrible. 1 Thess. 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” God bless.
