Thanksgiving has changed over years
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Richville Rundown
Sheila Ward
I have a correction to make from last week. While schools, banks and government offices were closed on Friday, the post office was open. They were closed on Saturday, which was actually Veterans Day. Sorry if that caused a problem for anybody.
Less than a week to Thanksgiving, then Christmas; wow this year is passing quickly. Don’t forget the Richville Volunteer Fire Department will have bingo on Saturday, November 18, at 6:30 p.m. Make plans to attend! We always have a lot of fun. There will be concessions, as well. Also, this would be a good time to bring those Christmas decorations or craft supplies you no longer want or use for the Richville Crafters to utilize in crafts.
Next week is Thanksgiving, November 23. This is a holiday that over the years has almost disappeared as far as commercialism is concerned. There’s a lot of decorations, etc. for Halloween, then before it even happens, Christmas takes over.
Remembering back over the years, there has never been a lot of decorating for Thanksgiving, mostly fall theme decorations that went up in October and stayed until after Thanksgiving. However, Thanksgiving was always the kickoff for Christmas, with the Macy parade heralding Santa in as the last float. Nobody put up decorations until the day after.
Thanksgiving has always been a time for families to get together and enjoy fellowship with no cost other than cooking a dish or two to bring to the family feast. I will miss having Thanksgiving at my mama’s, but just as when my in-laws passed, you start new traditions.
So, what is Thanksgiving? It’s a national holiday that began way before the Pilgrims and the Indians had their Thanksgiving in 1621. Many ancient cultures celebrated after harvest a time of thanksgiving for the crops. It was a change of seasons that ended hard work to cultivate and harvest crops so they would have food for the winter.
We’ve all heard the story of the first “Thanksgiving,” which is a lot more fable than truth. However, it was celebrated in the U.S. for many years on various dates with the last Thursday in November being the most common. On December 26, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt signed a joint resolution from Congress changing the official day to the fourth Thursday in November beginning in 1942.
Thanksgiving today is very different than those in the past. More emphasis is placed on football and shopping than family get-togethers. So, however you celebrate, enjoy it!
This week the thanksgiving or being thankful Bible verse is Colossians 3:17, which reads, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through Him.”
Regardless of where or how you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, my hope and prayer is that you take a few minutes to give thanks to God for all He has blessed you with in this past year.
Continue to pray for Israel and all those affected by this conflict. Pray for those in our community that are experiencing sickness. We need to remember the shut-ins and their families, as well. So please pray for their healing in God’s will. God knows their names and needs. Until next week, take care and be joyful!