To My Magnificent Agents, Staff and Friends:
While the Pilgrims are attributed with starting the tradition of Thanksgiving, our first President, George Washington was actually responsible for its status as a significant day of national remembrance. His October 3, 1789 proclamation was sent to the governors of each of the states. It sought to establish a day upon which the American people would devote themselves in service to “that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.”
It was Washington’s purpose to exhort the citizens of our young country to express their gratitude to God for His protection throughout the Revolutionary War and the peace that followed and for allowing the Constitution to be debated and enacted in a civil and rational manner.
With all of the rancor and division that today is emanating from our nation’s capital, it seems good that we, as a people, recall and recommit to the words of George Washington as found in his proclamation initially establishing our national Thanksgiving holiday:
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 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 their becoming a Nation – for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced 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 enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the 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 hath been pleased to confer on 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 unto us) and to bless them with good government, 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 third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Despite the numerous and daunting challenges we face as a nation, and despite what burdens we may be bearing individually, we can all most certainly, on this Thanksgiving Thursday, cast away any looming clouds and glance upon the shining light of Providence with gratitude for the countless blessings that have been bestowed upon both this country and its citizenry. For if the only prayer we say in our entire life is “thank you,” that will suffice.
“Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for. The more we seek gratitude, the more reason the angels will give us for gratitude and joy to exist in our lives.” Terry Lynn Taylor
Have an AWE-full Thanksgiving holiday and weekend!