The story of the first Thanksgiving is so incredible. Hope you enjoy!
Thanksgiving is unique: distinctly Christian and exclusively American. It celebrates: FAITH, FAMILY AND FREEDOM.
Even though historical accounts vary, the story of the first Thanksgiving cannot be told without first talking about Jamestown settlement. The purpose for this voyage to the New World was to find GOLD! God was not a priority. Captain John Smith was a dishonest man. There were 1200 settlers in 1619; only 200 were alive a year later. Their menu was cats, dogs, mice, roots of trees and bushes, they gnawed leather and boiled and ate book covers. The people who settled Jamestown considered themselves good Christians. However, they did not seek God's guidance. They did not ask His forgiveness, so they did not receive His blessings. But the next group of settlers knew better than to start a new life without Christ. They trusted God, and it made a big difference.
Led by William Bradford, Separatists left England to go to Holland for religious freedom. After 10 years, they decided to go to America but only after they spent a day in fasting and prayer for the journey ahead. They read the verse in Ezra 8:21: "Then I proclaimed a fast...that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions."
They had a great hope and inward zeal of laying a good foundation for the advancing of the kingdom of Christ to the remote parts of the world--much different goals than Jamestown colony! Pastor Robinson encouraged and prayed for the Pilgrims before they left. They had a feast and sang Psalms. Many left children and family behind because of the possible hardships and vigorous ocean voyage. One of the voyagers said: "We refreshed ourselves, after our tears, with the singing of Psalms..."---to be continued!
Thanksgiving is unique: distinctly Christian and exclusively American. It celebrates: FAITH, FAMILY AND FREEDOM.
Even though historical accounts vary, the story of the first Thanksgiving cannot be told without first talking about Jamestown settlement. The purpose for this voyage to the New World was to find GOLD! God was not a priority. Captain John Smith was a dishonest man. There were 1200 settlers in 1619; only 200 were alive a year later. Their menu was cats, dogs, mice, roots of trees and bushes, they gnawed leather and boiled and ate book covers. The people who settled Jamestown considered themselves good Christians. However, they did not seek God's guidance. They did not ask His forgiveness, so they did not receive His blessings. But the next group of settlers knew better than to start a new life without Christ. They trusted God, and it made a big difference.
Led by William Bradford, Separatists left England to go to Holland for religious freedom. After 10 years, they decided to go to America but only after they spent a day in fasting and prayer for the journey ahead. They read the verse in Ezra 8:21: "Then I proclaimed a fast...that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions."
They had a great hope and inward zeal of laying a good foundation for the advancing of the kingdom of Christ to the remote parts of the world--much different goals than Jamestown colony! Pastor Robinson encouraged and prayed for the Pilgrims before they left. They had a feast and sang Psalms. Many left children and family behind because of the possible hardships and vigorous ocean voyage. One of the voyagers said: "We refreshed ourselves, after our tears, with the singing of Psalms..."---to be continued!
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