Thanksgiving is a secular holiday with a religious focus.
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln, and even as far back as George Washington, decreed that our nation should take time to thank our Creator for the gifts of life and the fruits of the earth.
A portion of President Lincoln’s decree reads as follows:
“It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.”
Lincoln went on to declare that the nation became embroiled in the Civil War precisely because the people had turned away from God, and they began to believe their prosperity was due to their own greatness, wisdom and skill. They failed to humble themselves before the God of creation who alone truly does sustain our lives through the fruits of the earth.
The Nation we all love fell into war with itself because so many people believed that their way was the only way for life and society to be shaped. Families were divided to the point of actual war. Mayhem reigned, and tremendous life was lost.
Now, I know that many factors contributed to the tragic event that came to be the Civil War, and it became a war that had to be fought. But it began, in many regards, as Lincoln had declared, when so many people turned away from the God who gives us life and opens our eyes to the overwhelming value of life—each and every life of every human being.
At the same time, people began to place the value of their own lives, preferences and plans over the top of other people. I pray that we do not go down that road again, attacking fellow Americans and seeing others as beneath us, having less value than us, whoever us might be.
Instead, let’s gather in worship of the Giver of Life. Let’s express our Thanksgiving to God for creating us, blessing us to live in this great land, providing for all our needs in both body and soul, through the fruits of the earth, and through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Join us at Hosanna Lutheran Church on Thanksgiving Eve as we worship the One who gives us each other, as well. The church is located at 9601 E. Brown Road. Check out our website at hosanna-lcms.com.