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Micah Coate

George on Thanksgiving

Updated: Apr 29

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11 ESV

If there ever was a time to discuss faith and politics by cheerful hearts with those close to you during the holidays, it is this season of being thankful! In what is now rare political form, a long time ago both houses of congress once agreed on something historic and of good nature! What was it? They requested the President to implore the nation to separate a special day of the year to give thanks to God for His many blessings; in particular the gift of being a sovereign and free nation with a constitutional government elected by and for its citizens.


Just thirteen years after the Declaration of Independence was written and one year after the Constitution was ratified, On October 3rd, 1789, President George Washington wrote the short 469 word Proclamation and instituted the holiday that we now call Thanksgiving (although it wouldn't be celebrated until November 26th).

A few things must be noted and indeed cannot be overlooked.

The Proclamation was all about the greatness of God, asking for forgiveness, and bestowing our many blessings to others. Most undeniably, God is the center of the Proclamation. He was described by Washington as the “Almighty God,” “great and glorious Being,” “beneficent Author,” and the “great Lord and Ruler of Nations."

Secondly, Washington gives witness to the goodness of God. He was “the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” Thanksgiving was then to be humbly made to God, not just for the freedom to gorge ourselves on fattened bites of tryptophan-filled turkey, and watch football, but for His “many signal favors,” “manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence” that led the United States “an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for safety and happiness.” We must remember that the pleasure we have from feasting with friends and family on Thanksgiving is only possible from a government that pursues its people’s happiness and safety. Odd as it may seem, one way to celebrate our freedom and happiness is to confess sin. Washington also asked us as a nation to beseech God “to pardon our national and other transgressions.” Much can be said about this, but it should be sufficient to wonder how good it would be to have a federal government acknowledge their fallen state by imploring God to forgive both their personal and national transgressions.

Lastly, Washington wanted the many blessings that the United States enjoyed like virtue, faith, and science to be given to others. Today, in a time where science and religion are falsely pitted against each other, Washington reminds us that there is no gulf between them. He ends the Proclamation hoping “our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord - To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us - and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.”

So even though our senses might be slightly dulled from over consumption this Thanksgiving, may we not forget to raise a glass to offer true thanks to God for our nation, our prosperity, and the many freedoms we share. May we consider our faults as individuals and as a country and seek pardon from God all while seeking to be a blessing to both neighbors and strangers.

Micah Coate, President and Host of Salvation and Stuff

Works Cited: 1. The Proclamation, https://www.mountvernon.org/education/primary-sources-2/article/thanksgiving-proclamation-of-1789/ 2. Photograph, https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2019/08/09/statue-george-washington-london-reminds-us-all-empires-fall

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