Why should Americans be thankful in the year 2002?
Dr. Keith Wagner, Pastor
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ

This week we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Families and friends will gather around the table, sharing the many things they are thankful for. It is an American tradition, one that has been practiced since the year 1621. A national day of thanksgiving was established on the fourth Thursday in November. It was not chosen because the fourth Thursday in November was a particularly thankful day. It was intentionally chosen precisely because of its randomness, to remind us to say "thanks" on a daily basis for the bounties God has heaped upon our lives.

What is extraordinary to me is how the pilgrims could be thankful since their situation was so tragic and hopeless. Half of the colony had perished. Only five of eighteen wives survived. Only one family was left intact. To make things worse, they were not experienced in farming and their governor, John Carver, died of sun stroke. In spite of their difficulties they made peace with the Indians and with their help the pilgrims put together a great feast. So, in the midst of a crisis they gave thanks.

There would still be hard times ahead for the pilgrims. But, they now had hope and it was appropriate for them to give thanks. Their attitude of gratitude enabled them to endure. Their "spirit of thanksgiving" gave them the courage and faith to push forward.

I have a great-great grandmother who was a Native American Indian. I am thankful that my heritage includes family members who were here even before our nation was established. I believe we Americans can be thankful that we are a diverse gathering of people, made up of many races and nationalities, which have joined together and built a great nation.

A little known fact about the first thanksgiving was the generosity of the Indians. There would have been insufficient food for the feast had it not been for their help. It was the custom of the Wampanoags to help visitors. When a visitor came to one of their homes, they shared whatever food the family had, even if the supply was low. It was primarily due to their kindness that the Pilgrims survived at all.

The Wampanoags not only respected other people, they respected all of creation, especially the forest. Whenever a hunter made a kill, he was careful to leave behind some bones or meat as a spiritual offering, to help other animals survive. Those who have a thankful spirit are those who respect their neighbors and the rest of God’s creation as well. We Americans can be thankful that we have such a great heritage to follow.

The time in which the pilgrims lived is vastly differently from today. We have come a long way as a nation. Nevertheless, we still have our own crisis situations which affect us. Recent acts of terrorism and potential terrorist threats have changed the way we live. The pure waters and abundant lands that our ancestors lived in are being threatened by pollution. In the past year we have experienced corruption in the corporate world by executives who have threatened the future security of millions of hard-working families. Gratitude to God and love for one another is the only thing that can reverse these trends.

I believe we can still be thankful since the majority of people who live in our country are honest, loyal and generous citizens. I read recently that benevolent organizations, such as United Way, have exceeded their campaign goals for the year 2003. I find that extraordinary, given the sluggish economy and fear of going to war. I believe that we Americans can be thankful since we still know how to give and that millions of people have the courage to make a sacrifice.

One time I was visiting with a family who was spending the majority of their time at the hospital, standing by their loved one who was critically ill. They went home for a short period of time to catch up on a few things only to discover that their leaves had all been raked and their plants trimmed back for the winter. A neighbor had come and attended to their yard while they were at the hospital. Generosity like that is contagious and it helped to ease their suffering.

In the West Virginia hills there is a tradition that includes an empty chair at the Thanksgiving dinner. The empty chair stood ready to be filled or to be gazed on as a reminder that no matter how many were already present, there was always room for one more. Even if there wasn't physically an "empty chair," there was an extra plate and extra portions in case an unexpected visitor showed up. Thankfully, we live in a country which has historically made room for immigrants from other countries and cultures.

Besides being thankful for our diversity and our generosity I also believe we should be thankful for our freedom. We live in a time when our country is focused on protecting our borders and making our homeland safe and secure. Unfortunately, our freedom is being minimized due to the perceived need to defend ourselves. I am thankful for the fact that I still have the freedom of free speech and the freedom of religion. These freedoms are what make our nation unique on the planet earth.

The pilgrims who came from Europe established hundreds of Congregational Churches along our East coast. They evolved into the United Church of Christ. Congregationalism grew out of dissatisfaction with the Church of England. Church people protested against doctrines and policies that denied them their freedom. Consequently they set sail for America in 1620 where they eventually succeeded in establishing a country that made freedom of speech and freedom of religion part of its constitution. I am especially thankful that we can speak up without condemnation and worship in the church of our choice. I pray that all Americans will cherish these freedoms and more importantly, practice them on a regular basis. Every American should be thankful that the pilgrms worked toward that end.