Here we are at the end of November, and we all get a day off (or a few!) to eat turkey and pumpkin pie and watch football with our relatives. Why? Well, though the pilgrims might be credited with the first official Thanksgiving feast, it was actually George Washington who declared the first nation-wide holiday observance in 1789, over a hundred and fifty years later. And his intentions were far from just giving his country a day to relax with family and eat a big meal. He specifically called for an “official celebratory day of public thanksgiving and prayer.”

Days devoted to thanks were actually common during the 17th and 18th century. Various colonies and states would often hold one-time observances throughout the year. They were solemn and worshipful occasions, often involving prayer, fasting, and reflection. Washington wanted to make prayer and thanks a national observance. 

Today our country has drifted from Washington’s original intentions. For me, this week is a chance to make a pie, to catch some of the Macy’s parade, to spend some time with family, and to capitalize on Black Friday deals. How much time will I spend, as Washington puts it, rendering “sincere and humble thanks” to the “great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be” ? Will my thanks just be a side note, an afterthought? As my pastor has said, God doesn’t want our leftovers, He wants our firstfruits. Of course, thankfulness should permeate our mindset every day. But why not take on the example of our great forefather and devote a day to specific, intentional, and worshipful thanks?

Here is Washington’s proclamation to the nation. It reflects the psalmist’s words, “I will give thanks to you Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 9:1) I hope you find it as beautiful and inspiring as I do!

“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 to 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 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 hath 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 shewn 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.”

President George Washington

(A side note: Washington spent his Thanksgiving day attending a service at St. Paul’s Chapel in NYC and then “donating beer and food to imprisoned debtors in the city.”)

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