God's gates

Enter into God's gates with thanksgiving

Psalms 100:4

Food is right up there in the top three essentials for life - food, shelter and clothing, so it only stands to reason that celebrating the harvest would have roots all the way back to ancient cultures. The Hebrews, Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and other cultures added their own twist to being thankful for the harvest each year and I’m sure those cultures still celebrate the harvest in one way or another even today.

The American Thanksgiving celebration, or Harvest celebration began unofficially in 1621 near the end of the Plymouth colony’s first year of existence. The history books tell us that the settlers gave thanks for a plentiful first harvest celebrating with the natives after arranging a peace treaty. Everyone feasted on geese, ducks, deer, corn, oysters, fish and berries bringing out the very best to share with each other.

After years of unofficial harvest celebrations, in 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that Thanksgiving should be a national observance. The American people were dealing with a lot of difficulty and deprivation, so this was one way to lift their spirits and also make people realize that even in difficult times they have lots to be thankful for. This is true today. We have so much to be thankful for in this country especially when you look at the news and see the things that are going on in other countries.

Today I'm thankful for God's gates and the protection I feel from them. Gates are meant to keep things in but also keep things out. Either way, the gates are important just as food, shelter, and clothing. His gates to me are love and I hope they are too you. I just finished reading a blog from someone who has decided to leave the Christian faith behind. I can't imagine making this decision. Never the less, I know God's Gates will always be there and I'll keep this person in my heart and prayers.

Sing with me:



Thanksgiving poem written by Lydia Maria Child

Over the river, and through the wood,
To Grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood -
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose
As over the ground we go.

Over the river, and through the wood,
To have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ding",
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river, and through the wood
Trot fast, my dapple-gray!
Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound,
For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river, and through the wood -
And straight through the barnyard gate,
We seem to go extremely slow,
It is so hard to wait!

Over the river, and through the wood -
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!