A History of the First Thanksgiving (10 Min Read)

Intro

What most people think about, when they consider Thanksgiving, is a tale about pilgrims and Indians, huge turkeys, football, and family gatherings. But Thanksgiving is much more than these things and traditions and shows us far more about God than is evident from the current way we celebrate it. Thanksgiving is extremely theological; it is a celebration of God's providential hand upon his beloved people and a recognition of his divine mercy.

To understand the American tradition of thanksgiving, we have to go back to events taking place in the early 1600s. Like most things, God worked out many details to bring himself glory and for the good of his people, and this becomes evident when we are able to zoom out, and take a look at all the occurrences surrounding this time and how they fit together.

Squanto

 The Pilgrims were not the first people to go to America. In fact, Europeans had visited America several times before the pilgrims arrived, and in most instances, these were peaceful visits. This notwithstanding, on one occasion, in 1614, a European captain named Thomas Hunt captured several of the Wampanoag Indians to sell them into slavery. One of these captured Indians was a man named “Squanto,” and he was brought to Spain by Hunt to be sold there. However, as the Lord would have it, rather than him being sold into slavery, his freedom was purchased by a Spanish monk. This monk went on to teach Squanto to speak Spanish, and most importantly, he shared the Gospel with him introducing him to Jesus Christ. From there Squanto traveled to Europe, and in 1619 he returned to his native land in the area of what is now called New England, to be with his people. However, when he arrived to be united to them, he found that the majority of his tribe had all been killed by a plague. Squanto subsequently became a captive of the Pokanoket whose chief was Massasoit.

The Pilgrims

Meanwhile, in 1608, there was a group of Puritan Christians who were fleeing to Holland from England. They were escaping the oppression of the Church of England after they were prevented from worshiping the Lord according to the scriptures and their conscience. Although Holland had religious freedom, they were met with poverty, grueling working conditions, and a secular culture that tempted their children to leave the faith. Because of these circumstances, these Christians decided to leave Holland in search of a place that offered both civil and religious liberty.

In September of 1620, these Christians - also known as Pilgrims - embarked on a 9-week journey across the Atlantic ocean on a ship called the Mayflower, attempting to land just north of the Virginia colony in America. When they finally arrived in November of that year, they were blown off course due to bad weather and landed at what is known today as Plymouth, Massachusetts. Upon landing at Plymouth they found a deserted Indian village, which had cleared land for farming and stores of corn and freshwater. This Indian village belonged to the very same tribe that Squanto came from, the one that had been killed by a plague, only months before the Pilgrims' arrival. Although they were starting a new life away from the secular conditions of Holland and religiously oppressive conditions of England, there remained several other troubles awaiting them in this new land.

That first winter season was very harsh. The cold winds whipped through the settlement and they were met with large amounts of sleet and snow. That winter, half of the pilgrims died. Yet, despite this despair and tragedy, they remained faithful to God and resolved to stay in this new land. Astonishingly, not one of the survivors returned to England, even when the opportunity presented itself on the Mayflower's return voyage.

God's Providence

After the harsh winter had passed, Squanto - who spoke English very well - was freed to welcome the Pilgrims and be their guide and interpreter. Because he could already speak English, and he believed in Christ, he was the ideal person to assist the Pilgrims in this new land. William Bradford, governor of the colony, described Squanto in his journal:

“Squanto continued with them and was their interpreter and was a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation. He directed them how to set their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities, and was also their pilot to bring them to unknown places for their profit, and never left them till he died.” 

In the summer of 1621, the Pilgrims reaped a rich harvest with the help of Squanto and their other Indian friends. Because of the bountiful harvest, there was a feast held between the Pilgrims, Squanto, 90 other Indians, and their chief, Massasoit. This feast was held for three days as a celebration of the kind providence of God and his prevailing goodness. In Governor William Bradford’s proclamation, he wrote: “[God] has granted us freedom to worship [Him] according to the dictates of our own conscience…[all are] to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.” During this time of celebration, they feasted from their harvest, played games, ran races, and competed in shooting their guns. It was a time of reveling in all that God had done for them. Their feast was a little different from what we have today, which included things like, deer, wild birds, turkeys, Indian corn, and rabbit.

This celebration became known as Thanksgiving and spread throughout the Northeast. By the mid 17th century this Thanksgiving celebration was established in New England. Observance of Thanksgiving Festivals also began to spread southward during the American Revolution, as the newly established Congress officially recognized the need to celebrate this holy day to the Lord. President George Washington further established this day of giving thanks, and it was again established by Abraham Lincoln, and finally established by President Theodore Roosevelt.

So while much thanks can be given to the Indians who helped the Christian pilgrims survive and learn how to live in this new land, a deeper look into this history reveals the divine providence of God directing all of these events for his glory and the good of his people. God’s sovereign hand was at work the entire time, working through Thomas Hunt and his sin, Squanto and his capture, the Spanish monk and his kindness, the Puritans and their religious fervor, and the subsequent death of many of them. All this was done by the Lord and for his glory and for the good of his people (Romans 8:28).

Theology of Thankfulness

It is impossible for a secular culture to truly celebrate a day of giving thanks because they do not give thanks to God. They may thank family and friends, but the bible describes giving thanks, chiefly, as honoring the Lord and recognizing His hand in all that we have, and being grateful and content with his kindness.

Romans 1:21 says, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Philippians 4:6 says, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Neglecting to give thanks to God will lead to all types of wretched living and devastating sin. When we look at Romans 1 we can easily see that the lack of giving thanks to God for all things leads to idolatry, foolishness, and darkened hearts. Because of this unthankfulness, the Lord tells us that his wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Romans 1:18). Christians cannot fall into this error - we must be a grateful and thankful people because we have nothing that we have not been given (1 Corinthians 4:7).

So we can be encouraged by the faith of these Christians to honor Christ at any cost, and we can be strengthened in our hearts to be grateful to God as they were, and most of all we must be stirred in our affection for Christ by seeing how faithful he has been with his people in the past and trusting his word that he will continue to be faithful to his people until he comes again to usher in the new heavens and new earth.

On this special day set aside to offer thanks to God, let us be a people most joyful and rejoicing for all the wonders He has done for his glory and our good! And on that day the pilgrims sang a most fitting tune, “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” (Psalm 100) as a joyful noise to the Lord to express their great thanks and gratitude toward their King. Let us do likewise on this day.

From the Reformed Presbyterian Constitution:

Thanksgiving:

Christians should be thankful at all times, but there are occasions when special seasons of corporate thanksgiving should be observed. These may be in response to a particular blessing of God in the life of the congregation, that call of the civil authority for a day of national thanksgiving (if in keeping with scripture), or in thanksgiving for God's provision of material blessings. On such occasions sessions may deem that suitable service of public worship be conducted at which the people recount God’s blessings, sing his praises, thank him for his mercies corporate and individual, call upon him in prayer for both church and nation, and are exhorted from the Word of God upon the theme of gratitude to God. Opportunity may be given for the people to express that gratitude by making a contribution to some benevolent cause.

Psalm 100 “ All People That on Earth Do Dwell” to the tune of “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”

All people that on Earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. HIM serve with mirth; His praise forth tell; Come ye before him and rejoice.

Know that the Lord is God indeed. Without our aid He did us make. We are His folk He doth us feed, And for His sheep He doth us take.

O enter then His gates with praise; Within His courts your thanks proclaim; With grateful hearts your voices raise To bless and magnify His Name.

Because the Lord our God is good, His mercy is forever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood And shall from age to age endure.