Why Lincoln Gave Thanks During War, and Why It’s Powerful Today?
President Abraham Lincoln chose to establish a Day of Thanksgiving--even as he was watching the bloodiest war in U.S. history. Was he crazy? Or did he know something powerful that transcends what we can see with our eyes?
In the fall of 1863, Americans were brutally divided at the height of the Civil War. What would you do as President? Most politicians today would check the polls. Speech-writers would craft their spin. And the media would censor the news that gets in the way.
But Lincoln called a day of national Thanksgiving to God. What did he know that can help us today? We too are watching wars and unrest across the globe. We’ve got various ‘civil wars’ in our cities—and even among our families and friends! Need evidence? Just look around your Thanksgiving table.
On October 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln began his Thanksgiving Proclamation:
“The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.”
Lincoln then listed some of the many blessings that had remained or grown, even in time of war: “needful diversions of wealth… strength of fields of peaceful industry”. And he looked forward to “expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom”.
“No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens….”
And almost like the other ‘bookend’, Lincoln called for citizens to pray for forgiveness and ask for healing.
What a powerful prescription for the many symptoms of an America who has forgotten the freedom and responsibility of her founding ideals!
Melanie Kirkpatrick, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, wrote Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience. Her video for PragerU is worth watching: Lincoln and Thanksgiving: The Origin of an American Holiday. She connects the dots from 1863 to now:
“It's a message that resonates today, when Americans, even within families, are divided over issues of politics and culture. Thanksgiving, our nation's oldest tradition, brings us together just as it brought the pilgrims and Indians together in 1621. Lincoln said it best when he called on every American to celebrate Thanksgiving "with one heart and one voice."
Thanksgiving gives us a moment to focus on the blessings of being Americans, on the prosperity, security and freedom we enjoy. If Lincoln could focus on these blessings in the middle of the Civil War, we should certainly be able to do so today.”
Have a wonderful and meaningful celebration of Thanksgiving! May you and your family and friends remember all the great blessings you’ve received! ~Kim