Thanksgiving may be just another holiday for many Americans, but for believers it reflects a permanent attitude that is based on the Bible, confirmed by our national history and once again proclaimed this year by the President of the United States.
Thanksgiving is a national holiday by historic precedent and Congressional action. George Washington was the first to issue a presidential Thanksgiving proclamation. From 1816-1861, there were no proclamations, but every president since Abraham Lincoln has issued an annual proclamation. Each ends with, "In the year of our Lord…," meaning of course, Jesus Christ, whose birth re-calibrated time.
Numerous proclamations by Congress early in America’s history urged American citizens to give thanks. They mention "Almighty God," the "Supreme Ruler" and the "Creator;" the "merits of our Savior," "gracious Redeemer," "divine grace," and the "gospel of peace." These are important Scriptural words reflecting Biblical Christianity.
Until 1939, Thanksgiving was celebrated on the last Thursday of November. That year, it fell only 25 days before Christmas Day. President Franklin Roosevelt moved it back a week to create a longer holiday shopping season, and some people cynically named it "Franksgiving." Congress fixed the day as the third Thursday in November in 1941, and that has been observed ever since.
The concept of Thanksgiving, however, runs across the centuries back into Bible times.
The Old Testament words "praise" and "thanks" are basically the same in Hebrew. The first usage of the word "praise" is found in Genesis 29:35 where Jacob’s wife, Leah, gives birth to Judah and says, "Now I will praise the Lord." The name Judah simply means "praise."
The first use of the word translated as "thanks" in the King James Version is in II Samuel 22:50 where King David, much known for his verbal praise in the Psalms and who is also in the lineage of Christ, lauds His Lord in a lengthy song. "Therefore I will give thanks unto You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, And sing praises unto thy name."
Leah’s words should tell us something of ultimate praise and worship. The birth of Judah marked a turning point in her life. In naming her fourth child, she worshipped God instead of lamenting her husband’s chilly marital relationship (Leah’s sister Rachel was the wife Jacob loved). Judah was in the lineage of David and Christ the Messiah, and Leah must have comprehended this somehow.
It should be no surprise that Christian thanksgiving and praise should be about the Lord Jesus Christ. As Hebrews 13:15 says, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." Indeed, "Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)
That is the heart of Thanksgiving. It is a holiday and an attitude, and it presupposes a Supreme Giver of every good and perfect gift. Holiday by definition simply means "holy day." Everyday is Thanksgiving Day because Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever, is the constant focus of our thanks. To know Him is to love Him, and to love Him is to thankfully serve Him every day.
David Virkler
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