Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the first Thanksgiving in 1863

Copied by Colleen Bruce from the Book about Lincoln

“It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of GOD; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations, are blessed whose GOD is the LORD. ~ We know that by HIS divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we justly fear that awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people. ~ We have been the recipients of choice bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. ~  But we have forgotten GOD. We have forgotten the Gracious Hand, which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to Pray to the GOD that made us. ~ It has seemed to me fit and proper that GOD should be solemnly reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of these United States, and also those who are at sea and those sojourning in foreign, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent FATHER who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

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*A good way to make memories that will last a life time!

         In my mind this is one of the noblest and most humble proclamations ever written, by my favorite president, Abraham Lincoln. I would like to share a couple ideas and thoughts with you that have enriched our Thanksgiving holiday. Buy a plain white (linen) table cloth put it on your dinner table with a piece of plastic underneath. With multi-colored permanent markers have all your guests sign, date and write what they’re thankful for on the cloth. Wash it on the gentle cycle and it will last for years. When loved ones or friends are no longer with us,  you will have a part of them with you every year. As well as memories to pass on to future generations. Also, even if you do not do a formal prayer, consider taking a bold step:  read this proclamation before dinner. It will give your family, guests and especially children a real sense of the meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday.