ted as factually as possible. This means we have to be ready to see the warts and blemishes as well as the beauty when we teach the history of our great nation. We are a nation founded upon certain principles but we are a nation founded by fallen human beings. Therefore, we should not take lightly the faults and flaws found in our legacy as well as the great ideals that make up how we became who we are today.We a
re not a perfect people. Our founders were not perfect people. Many people have suffered at the hands of those who were doing what they believed to be right and just without regard for its impact on the American Indian or those caught up in slavery. While we may justifiably be ashamed of some of the things that has happened in our past, at the same time we must look at the magnitude of progress and accomplishment that has come from the founding of this country. We cannot overlook wrong where ever it has occurred but at the same time we must not overlook an accurate portrayal of the good that has been ours as a heritage, handed down from generation to generation.
re not a perfect people. Our founders were not perfect people. Many people have suffered at the hands of those who were doing what they believed to be right and just without regard for its impact on the American Indian or those caught up in slavery. While we may justifiably be ashamed of some of the things that has happened in our past, at the same time we must look at the magnitude of progress and accomplishment that has come from the founding of this country. We cannot overlook wrong where ever it has occurred but at the same time we must not overlook an accurate portrayal of the good that has been ours as a heritage, handed down from generation to generation.Therefore, when we come to the subject of celebrating the giving of th
anks as a nation as originated as part of our history we need to be just as clear as we are on all other historical facts. From the very beginning, those involved in setting aside time to be thankful had an object in mind. While they were aware of how blessings had come to them through different means, their consistent purpose was that we as a people would stop, consider our estate, and then render proper thanks to God Almighty.
anks as a nation as originated as part of our history we need to be just as clear as we are on all other historical facts. From the very beginning, those involved in setting aside time to be thankful had an object in mind. While they were aware of how blessings had come to them through different means, their consistent purpose was that we as a people would stop, consider our estate, and then render proper thanks to God Almighty.T
he Pilgrims were thankful to Sqaunto, the native American who had rendered great assistance to them. But it would be wrong to believe that a feasting time was set aside only for the purpose of thanking the Indians. While many claim that William Bradford’s proclamation of Thanksgiving from 1623 cannot be authenticated, no one can doubt from the 
preserved journals of those writing at that time Who the object was of their giving of thanks. We need not figure out a way to distort what is obvious. The Pilgrims were religious people. They believed in the providence of the Christian God. When they were preserved from dangers and able to enjoy a harvest their hearts were turned towards He whom they saw as their ultimate Provider.
he Pilgrims were thankful to Sqaunto, the native American who had rendered great assistance to them. But it would be wrong to believe that a feasting time was set aside only for the purpose of thanking the Indians. While many claim that William Bradford’s proclamation of Thanksgiving from 1623 cannot be authenticated, no one can doubt from the 
preserved journals of those writing at that time Who the object was of their giving of thanks. We need not figure out a way to distort what is obvious. The Pilgrims were religious people. They believed in the providence of the Christian God. When they were preserved from dangers and able to enjoy a harvest their hearts were turned towards He whom they saw as their ultimate Provider.T
his is history. These are the facts. The ACLU, the People for the American Way, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State can squawk all they want to but they cannot change the facts. Right, wrong, or indifferent, sometimes for good, sometimes for things not so good, but we are a nation wit
h a religious foundation that has incorporated the Judaeo-Christian system of beliefs into our identity as a people. But that was the Pilgrims and they came before we were a nation, right? Absolutely true. So, fast forward to George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation. We have no trouble authenticating this document:
his is history. These are the facts. The ACLU, the People for the American Way, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State can squawk all they want to but they cannot change the facts. Right, wrong, or indifferent, sometimes for good, sometimes for things not so good, but we are a nation wit
h a religious foundation that has incorporated the Judaeo-Christian system of beliefs into our identity as a people. But that was the Pilgrims and they came before we were a nation, right? Absolutely true. So, fast forward to George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation. We have no trouble authenticating this document:Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789. with the signature of our first president: George Washington
If that’s not enough, read history as it has unfolded since that time. Read Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation written in 1863. And, just to close this out here’s the last paragraph of what President Clinton wrote in his 2000 proclamation:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 23, 2000, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all the people of the United States to assemble in their homes, places of worship, and community centers to share the spirit of fellowship and prayer and to reinforce the ties of family and community; to express heartfelt thanks to God for our many blessings; and to reach out in gratitude and friendship to our brothers and sisters across this land who, together, comprise our great American family.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth. signed: WILLIAM J. CLINTON
May we never lose sight of the truth. We have much to be thankful for as a people and as a nation but who is it that deserves our thanks? According to the historical record of this nation it is none other than our Great God. Amen. …..More later.
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