Thankful for Thanksgiving

The population of the world has exceeded 8 billion people for several years now. Less than 5% of that number celebrate Thanksgiving. Let’s take a brief survey of the most observed holidays in the world today. In India, the most populous nation in the world, the Hindu holiday “Diwali” has the most celebrants. This “Festival of Lights” commemorates some events in Hindu mythology that represent the victory of good over evil.

China, the second largest nation, in addition to its New Year celebrations, observes “National Day” on October 1st. This holiday commemorates the triumph of communism in China under Mao Zedong, and begins with the raising of the Chinese flag in Tiananmen Square. Similarly, Russia has “Defender of the Fatherland Day,” recognizing the founding of the “Red Army” in 1918.

The world’s 4th-6th largest nations, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Nigeria, respectively, observe Eid al-Fitr as their largest holiday. This Islamic holiday celebrates the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, with feasting, family gatherings, and gift-giving. In Indonesia, laborers and students enjoy a six-day break, the longest of any public holiday in that country.

These six nations represent more than half of the world’s population, and sadly, their main holidays either focus on atheistic communism or the worship of false deities. In contrast, the most important holidays (literally “holy days”) celebrate the life and work of Jesus Christ – Christmas (His birth), Good Friday (His death), Easter (His resurrection), and Ascension Day.

To be sure, Thanksgiving comes after these indispensable holidays in priority and significance. But the uniqueness of the Thanksgiving holiday needs to be underscored, especially against the backdrop of the rest of the world.

What do Americans celebrate at Thanksgiving? To many, it’s become a holiday about food, football, and the beginning of Christmas shopping. Atheists in America have attempted to make it about being thankful without God. Others enjoy the days off but treat them as part of a longer, secular Christmas season.

But Thanksgiving is special because of its clear Christian foundation. In 1608, Separatist Christians left England for the Netherlands because they were being persecuted for their beliefs. Twelve years later, they set out for the New World, crossing a vast ocean and landing in an unknown wilderness, to secure a homeland where they could raise their families according to the dictates of Scripture.

After surviving the first winter and bringing in the first successful harvest, the Pilgrims celebrated with a feast, giving thanks to God and acknowledging His Divine Providence and goodwill toward their venture. Two years later, Governor William Bradford set aside a day of Thanksgiving for their colony, which began a now 400-year-old tradition.

The purpose of Thanksgiving, to this day, is to foster gratitude to God. As our forefathers paused to acknowledge God’s Providence in their lives, so we take time to consider God’s faithfulness in ours. And as we do, we can also thank Him that Thanksgiving is both a markedly Christian and uniquely American tradition. Our nation was built on gratitude, and though we have largely turned away from Him today, we can renew the spirit of Thanksgiving in our own lives and those around us as we celebrate this special holiday.