THE LAST GOBBLE

From My Perspective - - -

Thanksgiving is a favorite and festive time. Family and Friends gather, as the Pilgrims of old, to celebrate a time of Thanksgiving. There is a large meal – Turkey and Stuffing, Pies – Pumpkin, Apple, Mince Meat, Sweet Potato and Pecan… It is a time to recognize God’s Bountiful provision and care. The 53 Pilgrims who marked that first Harvest/Thanksgiving period consisted of: 4 Married Women; 5 Adolescent Girls; 9 Adolescent Boys; 13 Young Children; and 22 Men, among them – John Alden, William Bradford, Myles Standish .

Edward Winslow wrote concerning the First Thanksgiving in America: "Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest King Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

William Bradford recorded his memories: “They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."

Some of the Lyrics from America, The Beautiful are a suitable reminder: “America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern impassioned stress; A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness. America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law.” There is a Hymn Refrain that can serve as a Thanksgiving Prayer most should be willing to offer: “Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.”

Consider these things with me - - - Exodus 23:16 reminds us of the perpetual celebration of Thanksgiving. The Lord instructed His people, “Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the first-fruits of the crops you sow in your field. Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.” In the story of the Chicken and the Pig, the Pig reminds the Chicken that laying an egg is merely a contribution (and the normal routine continues), whereas to provide the Bacon and Ham requires total commitment (the Pig has to be slaughtered). Which brings us back to our Turkey and The Last Gobble. The Turkey can only celebrate vicariously! The Turkey’s life of strutting around the Barnyard unexpectedly came to an abrupt end so you/we can celebrate the Bountiful Blessings of God and His faithful provision for us. The Turkey had to die so we could be nourished – and gave his last gobble! Jesus had to die so we could be cleansed from our sin and have eternal life in Him – and gave His last cry: “Father, forgive them!” Have we died to self and self-interests? Have a Happy and Joyous Thanksgiving!