Why Is Thanksgiving So Late This Year?
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared that Thanksgiving would be held on the last Thursday of November every year. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt became concerned when Thanksgiving was slated to fall on the last day of the month, shortening Christmas shopping and stalling economic recovery. He moved the holiday to the second-to-last Thursday in November. That ended up splitting the country, with 32 states going along with the change and 16 refusing to do so. Congress took on the situation and set the date to the fourth Thursday in November to eliminate confusion when the month has five Thursdays. This way, the holiday could no longer fall on the last day of the month. November 28th is the last date on which Thanksgiving can fall.
I remember Thanksgiving when I was growing up. Dinner always featured turkey and oyster dressing, as well as ham and country ham, accompanied by string bean casserole, mashed potatoes, home-made pickles and a variety of home-made desserts. Thanksgiving was a day of family and football games. What are your memories of Thanksgiving?
The Bible speaks about the benefits of giving thanks to God. The Psalms call us to give thanks. Psalm 100:5 says God’s people should give God thanks because “the Lord is good, and His love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 says, “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 7:17 announces, “I will give to the Lord the thanks due His righteousness, and I will sing praises to the name of the Lord, the Most High.” I Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to be “thankful in everything, in all circumstances.”
When we find ourselves overwhelmed with burdens about tomorrow, we can praise God for who He is and His promise to never leave nor forsake us. Thanksgiving teaches us not to focus on ourselves but on the goodness of God and everything He has done for us.
May your Thanksgiving bring you abundance and joy. I hope Thanksgiving gives you reasons to be grateful. May your blessings be multiplied this year and throughout your life.
Prayer – May this Thanksgiving remind each of us to give thanks and be reminded of all that we have. May your days be filled with gratitude and joy, and may we all prepare ourselves for the coming of the Savior. Amen.
Psalm 107:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”
By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: Christopher Ryan, Jed Owen & Prchi Palwe, courtesy of Unsplash
