Reading the history of how Thanksgiving celebrations arose in our
country, we discover reasons to celebrate and give thanks. The aboriginal occupants of this country were
actually celebrating the bounty of their harvest long before Europeans arrived
on Canadian shores. They were joined by the early European settlers whose
thanksgiving often focused on some special good fortune. For example, in 1578 the explorer Martin
Frobisher, in whose honour the northern bay he discovered is
named, was able to offer his thanksgiving for survival of the long journey that
he safely made, seeking the longed for passage from Europe to Asia through what
we now know is North America.
Recognizing this part of our history at Thanksgiving we can add our
gratitude for our own survival during the difficult times in our lives or for
safety as we travel over the highways and waterways that have spread out over
that long sought passage from east to west to east. Applying this to our live we can deepen our
appreciation for the new discoveries that we make as we pursue our journey of
life, never knowing what we are going to encounter with confidence in God’s
faithfulness to accompany us all along the way.
Historically, celebrations
of Thanksgiving have often followed noteworthy historical events. It is interesting to note that the tradition
of a yearly Day to celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada was initiated by refugees
who were fleeing from the Civil War in the United States. The habit developed
to have a theme each year beyond rejoicing in the blessings of an abundant
harvest. Included in Thanksgiving
celebration themes were the golden and diamond jubilees of the reign of Queen
Victoria and the coronation of King Edward VII.
Historically, in
Canada, from the end of the First World War until 1930, both Armistice Day and
Thanksgiving Day were celebrated on the Monday closest to November 11, the
anniversary of the official end of hostilities in World War I. Then in 1931,
Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day and Thanksgiving Day was moved to a
Monday in October. Since 1957, Thanksgiving Day has always been held on the
second Monday in October.
The noteworthy times in
our own lives can become the theme for our Thanksgiving celebrations like the
birth of a child or grandchild. The safe
arrival of that child and the joy of cuddling the precious little one with all
their promise and potential evoke thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving celebration can
focus on the celebration of a wedding when we realize the value of the love that
entwines our lives and the gift that our spouse is to us. Even funerals when we forget the shortcomings
of the one who has left us and remember with gratitude all they contributed to
our lives becomes a Thanksgiving event.
Holiday times when we can break from our regular routine and enjoy
family time or do something special together and appreciate the joys of family
and friends bring forth Thanksgiving. Noteworthy life events create themes for
our Thanksgiving.
Historically, in
Canada, from the end of the First World War until 1930, both Armistice Day and
Thanksgiving Day were celebrated on the Monday closest to November 11, the
anniversary of the official end of hostilities in World War I. Then in 1931,
Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day and Thanksgiving Day was moved to a
Monday in October. Since 1957, Thanksgiving Day has always been held on the
second Monday in October.
As Canadians we love
peace. It is appropriate for us that Thanksgiving be associated with armistice. We know the gratitude of living
in a time of relative freedom from warfare for most of us. Our service people have largely been involved
in peace keeping missions since the Second World War. A thanksgiving subject for us is that our
lives have not been interrupted by the social devastation that accompanies
war.
The historical roots of this fall holiday give rise to
themes for our Thanksgiving. As I think
of the history of my own life, I plan to take some time over the Thanksgiving
weekend to chronicle some of the events on my time line. I can use each event as an opportunity to
express gratitude and thanksgiving to God for some particular aspect of it that
has blessed me. This will remind me how God
has been present in my life, giving me what is good and I will have courage to
move into the future, confident that whatever awaits me He will be there
working for my good. Want to join me?
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| Word Guild Award 2009 |
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Word Guild Award
2011 |
4 comments:
Thank you Eleanor. I've enjoyed this cornucopia of historical and cultural information, and also your heartwarming Thanksgiving insights. Interesting pics, too. ~~+~~
Very insightful look at Thanksgiving Day, Eleanor. Thanks.
Ed Hird+
I was so impressed by this article, Eleanor, that I just reposted it to my 12,000+ social media followers on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
Ed Hird+
http://edhird.com
Well done, Eleanor. I feel like I just had a great history lesson and for that I am grateful! There really is so much to be thankful for sometimes it is hard to know where to begin the list. Great thoughts.
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