We love Thanksgiving in my house, don't you? Lots and lots of great food...turkey...stuffing...cranberry...carrots...yams...mashed potato...gravy...salads...pies...ice cream...hot cider...ahhhh good stuff! Lots of family and friends too...that makes it even better. We usually open up our home to whomever wants to join us. Being in a college town, often people can't get home for Thanksgiving...so we welcome whoever would like to join in the feast...the more the merrier. Then top it all off with lots and lots of football. Oh ya, just relax, laugh, tell stories and watch football till we slowly...drift off...to that "oh I ate too much"...nap...zzzzzzzzz. That's our Thanksgiving...sound familiar? Yep...its probably a lot like yours too. It seems that's the typical modern American Thanksgiving (barring a few minor variables). Yet the first Thanksgiving was quite different really. We seem to depict it as if it was almost like what we do today...except with a few Indians and pilgrims thrown in...but it wasn't. In 1621 life in America was very different. No grocery stores. No Walmart Super Centers with an abundance of cheap, affordable food. No wealth to speak of. No cities or established communities anywhere near what we have today. Life in 1621 was about survival. People farmed and hunted to survive. Remember people came to America to escape religious and government persecution. They desired freedom...and were willing to risk it all to have a shot at it. Not a guarantee of it...just a shot at it. Thankfully, for us, they succeeded. But for this first group of settlers, having enough of a harvest to survive the harsh winter was a big deal. Without it they die and the dream ends. But with the help of local Indians teaching them techniques to grow crops in this new land, along with the resources these settlers brought from Europe... together, the harvest was plentiful. Not plentiful, as in cook it all up and eat too much, till you fall asleep on the couch. But plentiful as in store the food after its been gathered...and be careful, even very moderate in using it properly...to ensure you make it through the winter. In fact, history tells us, this first Thanksgiving was not so much a "feast" of gluttonous proportions, as it was a day of quiet, thankful, worship to God. Most of the day was in prayerful solitude. These pilgrims knew without God's provision and protection they wouldn't survive. The cold, harsh winter would take its toll if their harvest wasn't sufficient. Their hearts were overwhelmed with gratitude. It wasn't a wild, loud party of celebrating till you puke. It was a day of prayer, worship and hearts of gratitude toward God...that happened to end in a meal...a modest meal...a meal of Thanksgiving. At ECHO, we know how easy it is look at history through the eyes of our current culture, and sometimes miss the essence of the moment. Isn't it weird how "our" Thanksgiving is a day of eat till you drop, over abundance...with a token prayer of thanksgiving thrown in. While the pilgrims Thanksgiving was a day of reflection, prayer and quiet gratefulness...with a moderate meal added in to seal the deal. Somehow we miss that part of "thanksgiving day". In America we do the same with most holidays. We can often miss the significance of Christmas, the 4th of July, Easter...and yes even Thanksgiving. Other cultures have faced the same dementia. The biblical era Hebrews often had celebrations to commemorate very significant things, usually tied to God and their nations history...yet often the scriptures tell us of their absent mindedness. Often the rituals of celebration had lost their meaning...and the party became the focus, rather than the celebration being about the significance and meaning they were reminded of in that moment...or holiday...or ritual. Unfortunately, we too often...do the same...I suppose its part of the human condition...this type of memory loss. But at ECHO, we hope to intentionally re-focus our minds and hearts on the foundational things God has done...and appropriately celebrate them! It's good to celebrate authentically. But not good to celebrate simply for the sake of the party. In that is a distinct hollowness...one that God would hope we would avoid. At ECHO, we hope to encourage all of us to avoid it also...because if we do...there is a lot to be thankful for!be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO
