A Blessing Tree
First I want to say how much I appreciate the recipes you sent me for cranberry sauce. I am going to have to purchase several bags of cranberries to try all the different recipes. Some I am archiving for future use because of an illegal ingredient or two. Now that I have my Thanksgiving day menu finalized, I can turn my attention to reflecting on the meaning of Thanksgiving.
If you think the first Thanksgiving celebration occurred in 1621 with the Pilgrims, then you need to read last year’s article, “A Brief History of Thanksgiving.” Hopefully you will learn an interesting fact from reading it.
Since our family has been focused on Early American History this year, I wanted to share with you a portion of the Thanksgiving Proclamation written by our Founding Fathers at the Continental Congress in 1777. It begins as follows:
Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defense and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success.
To read the proclamation in its entirety, WallBuilders has the document to view. It really is beautifully written. The main event which inspired this proclamation was the defeat of the British at the Battle of Saratoga. However, the Americans end this proclamation by praying for prosperity and virtue for the country. They also ask for “the greatest of all blessings, independence and peace.”
You can be thankful for God’s provision in our life or thankful that your son has returned safely home from Afghanistan or thankful for a variety of things. Regardless of what you are thankful for this year, take the time to reflect on your many blessings. As a family discuss how God has blessed you each individually.
My husband’s family have a great tradition. They call it a Blessing Tree. His aunt purchased cut-out paper in shapes like ornaments or trees and passed one to each family member. You are to take some time to reflect on the past year and then write down your blessings. You hang your paper ornaments on a small, artificial tree. When you take down your Christmas decorations at the end of the year, save the blessings in a file box. Then every year, family members can read through the past years. It really makes you see how God has worked in your life. People tend to forget, which is why it is so nice to have a National Holiday like Thanksgiving.
I love the blessing tree idea, and I think I’ll start it this year! Thanks for sharing it!