Episode 26: Behind the Turkey: Happy Thanksgiving

SUMMARY Host Aaron Cronk is joined with ACTS® EPL Traci Gregory as they discuss the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday in America. The story begins with the Pilgrims coming over to Plymouth and their encounter with the very interesting person named Squanto. They discuss his life story, the challenges he faced, and his willingness to engage with the Pilgrims and assist them in their survival. The discussion then moves to the major Thanksgiving proclamations issued by Governor Bradford, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln. It is good to listen to their words and be reminded of how our nation and our leaders gave reverence, honor, and thanks to God for His care and provision – but also took time to ask for forgiveness for our national sins.

A favorite “Thanksgiving” scripture is shared and then we share a couple of recordings we received from listeners sharing their thanksgiving thoughts.

Aaron then gives listeners a Call to Action and wraps up the podcast.

We wish all listeners a very Happy Thanksgiving 2021 filled with remembrances of all the goodness of God. Enjoy your time with family and friends. Behind the Tour and American Christian Tours is thankful for all the support and encouragement from all our listeners and tour participants. Travel with Intention!

LINKS: One of American Christian Tours education programs that includes a visit to historic Plymouth: Historic Massachusetts | ACTS (acts-tours.com)

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation (Mount Vernon website)

Governor William Bradford's 1623 Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as he has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience. Now I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and ye little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November 29th, of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings. --William Bradford Ye Governor of Ye Colony

A link to Abraham Lincolns Thanksgiving Address at the National Archives

KEY WORDS: American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour; Behind the Turkey; Squanto; Governor Bradford; George Washington; Abraham Lincoln