Thanksgiving originates from the Pilgrims, a group of English Separatists who fled religious persecution to pursue freedom of faith in the New World. Their journey on the Mayflower brought them to Plymouth in 1620, where harsh winters, unfamiliar land, and dwindling resources challenged their faith and resolve and put their very survival into question. Despite immense hardships, the Pilgrims remained steadfast in their belief that God had a purpose for their settlement in America.
The continued existence of the Pilgrims in this Promised Land was significantly aided by the Indigenous Wampanoag people, particularly Squanto, who shared invaluable knowledge about farming, fishing, and foraging in the new environment. This act of wisdom and generosity forged a critical bond between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. Squanto’s guidance and the Wampanoag’s alliance were seen by the Pilgrims as divine providence—an answer to their prayers for sustenance and survival.
In the autumn of 1621, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag gathered for a three-day harvest feast. The Pilgrims praised God for sustaining them through adversity, while the Wampanoag joined them in celebrating the bountiful harvest. This event, marked by unity and mutual respect, became a symbol of hope, and community with shared gratitude to their Divine Creator, as reflected by Edward Winslow, one of the original pilgrims: “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.”
Thanksgiving today commemorates this legacy of faith and fellowship. We are invited to remember the enduring strength of gratitude, the profound importance of collaboration, and the ability to find common ground despite differences—a timeless lesson from the Pilgrims and Native Americans who shared a meal in thanks.
written with the assistance of AI
