This November, Americans will celebrate the National Holiday and tradition of Thanksgiving. Getting a couple of days off work to spend with family is, of course, wonderful. But just because a tradition has wholesome intents and even includes a prayer to God, doesn’t mean that it is in line with God. He may even hate it!
Thanksgiving Origins
The origins of Thanksgiving are portrayed as a celebration between the pilgrims and the American Indians around harvest time in 1621. There are several versions of the “First Thanksgiving” story, that has been distilled down into the simple, kid-friendly version taught today. Thanksgiving wasn’t an official National Holiday until Abraham Lincoln declared it such as a way to unite the country following the Civil War. It wasn’t until the past 100 years that it turned into shopping, football and food frenzy of today. Here is a brief history.
War Holiday?
The Thanksgiving Holiday is based on celebrating war victories and those who are still fighting in ongoing wars. Last year Trump recognized the military prominently in his Thanksgiving Address. He will most certainly do the same this year. Besides the Civil War, Thanksgiving has been a celebration called for after the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In 1637 a day of thanks-giving was called for after the slaughter of 700 Indians in present-day Connecticut. Looking back to Genesis, God destroyed the earth the first time because of violence. His hatred towards violence and war has not changed.
“And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Genesis 6:13
Consumerism Holiday
Thanksgiving Sales, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday make up a five-day shopping spree centered around Thanksgiving. After you’ve spent on yourself, family and friends, then if you have anything left over or more likely the willingness to add on more debt, you are encouraged to make a donation on “Giving Tuesday.” You may have a couple of days off work but between the travel, meal prep and shopping most American’s wonder where all the extra time went. They also wonder where all the money went, or more accurately, how the credit card bill increased so much. In 2017, American’s spent $19.62 Billion during the five days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. At the same time, debt per household increased to record highs. God did not call for anyone to be put into bondage to anyone else, certainly not the big fat banks.
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7
Against God
Consider what Jesus said regarding those that have “done many wonderful works” in God’s Name.
“Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
There are many “Christian” teachers pushing Thanksgiving, even though it has little to do with thanking God. There should not be one day set aside to thank God, every day is a day to thank God. This is another holiday tradition that makes void the Word of God by turning the perception of God and His Word into something it was never intended to be.
Hopefully, you can see that there is more to this Thanksgiving Holiday than giving thanks. It is a day intertwined with things God hates including violence and putting people into the bondage of debt. Most importantly though, there are false teachers of God who teach that this day is a holiday or “holy” day, meaning it would be called for or approved by God. It is not. You are better off to stop following these false teachers, stop celebrating a “holy” day which God hates and just enjoy a day off.