Here's part of the original text proclaiming Thanksgiving a federal holiday:
IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled…Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States…the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.
I think the most striking part of the document is that the government is asking people not just to pray for the end of the war or any political fortune, but also to thank God for his general goodness. This is a surprising statement, not only because it came from the government, but also because of how much churches today put emphasis on praying for blessings. Many treat God as the giver of health and wealth, not recognizing his eternal goodness that is apart from our current conditions.
I also think it is interesting that true religion is said to be the great foundation of national happiness. In the current recession, it would seem that money is the source of national happiness and that religion is a consolation prize for people without. The idea of religion being the foundation of public prosperity is currently a novel concept in 2008.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thanksgiving Thoughts
Affectionately called Turkey Day and celebrated as an important day for sitting on the couch watching football--Thanksgiving has changed a lot since its official creation. It was created by a proclamation made during the Civil War. Lincoln wanted a day set aside for Americans to look to God and declare their gratefulness.
I helped some families celebrate this holiday yesterday. As part of The Gathering, a college ministry, I helped distribute Thanksgiving boxes to 600 families. It was hard to imagine what they could have to be thankful for, having to stand outside in the street on a ridiculously cold morning to get a turkey and canned goods for Thanksgiving. After playing with the kids, though, and seeing adults dancing in the streets to the music coming from the loudspeakers, I began to see how much we all have to be thankful for. It became pretty obvious that God blesses all of us each day with innumerable non-material blessings, ones we often don't recognize.
I helped some families celebrate this holiday yesterday. As part of The Gathering, a college ministry, I helped distribute Thanksgiving boxes to 600 families. It was hard to imagine what they could have to be thankful for, having to stand outside in the street on a ridiculously cold morning to get a turkey and canned goods for Thanksgiving. After playing with the kids, though, and seeing adults dancing in the streets to the music coming from the loudspeakers, I began to see how much we all have to be thankful for. It became pretty obvious that God blesses all of us each day with innumerable non-material blessings, ones we often don't recognize.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Political Theater
I joked with my mom that I would never wash my hand again. A few hours ago I had the opportunity to shake Sen. Clinton's hand. She spoke at a Barack Obama rally held outside in the North Plaza at GMU. After a string of good luck and a bit of volunteering, I ended up in the front row, right in front of the stage. After her speech, the Senator shook hands with the crowd.
The thing I noticed while waiting for the Senator was how much of the rally was staged for appearances. One campaign staff member spent ten minutes rearranging a carefully chosen group of students and supporters on the risers on the stage. She left briefly to obtain a gold jacket for one man, so that he could better represent Mason colors. At one point, a staff member began passing out homemade signs that said things like "Nurses for Obama" and "GMU Loves Obama" to random people in the crowd.
I think Obama will make a great president and I admire everything Clinton has done for women in this country, but even I thought the homemade signs were a bit much. Campaigning as become so geared to what the cameras see that it is hard to believe anything we see. Television allows candidates to be seen by more people, but it also makes the things like the color of jackets seem important.
I guess rallies have never been sources for deep, political philosophy, but I'll be glad when the election is over and we can go back to caring about things that actually affect us.
The thing I noticed while waiting for the Senator was how much of the rally was staged for appearances. One campaign staff member spent ten minutes rearranging a carefully chosen group of students and supporters on the risers on the stage. She left briefly to obtain a gold jacket for one man, so that he could better represent Mason colors. At one point, a staff member began passing out homemade signs that said things like "Nurses for Obama" and "GMU Loves Obama" to random people in the crowd.
I think Obama will make a great president and I admire everything Clinton has done for women in this country, but even I thought the homemade signs were a bit much. Campaigning as become so geared to what the cameras see that it is hard to believe anything we see. Television allows candidates to be seen by more people, but it also makes the things like the color of jackets seem important.
I guess rallies have never been sources for deep, political philosophy, but I'll be glad when the election is over and we can go back to caring about things that actually affect us.
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