CHBC Connect for November 22, 2024
Thanksgiving:
"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." (Mourt’s Relation, by Edward Winslow of the Plymouth Colony, regarding the first Autumn of the Pilgrim’s in America)
I often reflect on the arrival of the Pilgrim’s during the Thanksgiving Holiday. These people fled England in search of religious freedom. They found a place to worship openly, freely, and according to the Bible. The travel by ship had been horrible, their arrival in winter, nearly decimated the small group. But God, in His providence saw fit to establish friendship with the natives who lived on the shores of what would become New England. By God’s hand these Pilgrim’s survived and by the autumn of 1621 they were beginning to thrive. And in celebration and gratitude they joined together in a feast of Thanksgiving to God.
The Pilgrim’s came for the purpose of worship and the gospel. We are recipients of their bold move. Our thanks goes far beyond them to the Lord, who made an even bolder move. He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to live without sin and to die in our place. As you gather this Sunday with your church family, and next Thursday with friends and family, be grateful for all God has done in your life over the course of the last year, be grateful for living in a place founded for religious freedom, and be grateful for salvation that comes only by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Soli Deo Gloria.
By His Grace, and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
