COGWA Members App
Feast App
ROKU AppWhy Thanksgiving Isn’t Important Anymore
Written by Tim Groves
It seems every year this national holiday becomes less important to many Americans. Why? Has something been lost in the meaning of Thanksgiving?
In 1863 U.S. President Abraham Lincoln made the last Thursday of November a national holiday known traditionally as Thanksgiving Day. Today some just call it “Turkey Day.”
However, President Lincoln did not call the last Thursday of November either of these names. Rather, he called it “a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens” (quotes from the American Presidency Project). So was the person who made up the name “Turkey Day” perhaps unknowingly being disrespectful to God because of failing to really understand that this day was supposed to be about Him, not food?
America doesn’t know its heritage, and not understanding how much we have to be thankful for and even who to thank are major reasons Thanksgiving doesn’t seem as important to many people anymore.
God isn’t as important to Americans anymore
I find it incredible how much America has distanced itself from God in just the last 20 years! In the name of separation of church and state, God has been discarded like a dirty napkin. He isn’t important in the lives of many Americans anymore. But ironically, His importance to this nation is how Thanksgiving got started, from the time of the Pilgrims to the time of President Lincoln.
Notice the words of President Lincoln in the proclamation of this day. “The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added … [by] the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.”
Lincoln continued, “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God. … It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.”
These words of Lincoln sound very similar to what God spoke to ancient Israel, whose modern descendants include America.
“When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt …—then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth’” (Deuteronomy 8:10-17).
God goes on to remind us that it is He who has given us the power to get wealth. And when we forget that, we are in serious trouble (verses 18-20).
America has forgotten God. And when one looks around, it is apparent that America is in serious trouble.
God has been replaced
The First Commandment is to have no other gods before the true God (Exodus 20:3). Yet it seems the god of greed has replaced the God of our fathers.
Recently I read that some stores are moving up their Christmas sales from the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) to Thanksgiving night! It seems some think Thanksgiving just gets in the way of Christmas. Instead of families spending time together thinking about God’s blessings, our consumeristic society, based on greed, encourages people to go shopping instead, often accumulating more credit card debt!
God foretold this time would come
God said in the last days people would be greedy, unthankful and have no regard for Him (2 Timothy 3:1-4; Romans 1:21-22). Many today aren’t satisfied with what they have and believe they are entitled to certain things—or as credit card companies and retailers say, “You deserve it.”
But really it’s only by the grace of God we have life and the blessings we do.
So as Thanksgiving approaches this year in the United States, let’s make it important to be thankful for all God gives us. As the apostle Paul said, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Tim Groves is a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. He and his wife, Teresa, along with their four children, live in South Carolina.
For more about America’s heritage, blessings and responsibilities, see:
