“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.”                    Colossians 3:15 (ASV)

And Be Ye Thankful

Can’t you almost hear the Pilgrims say this on that first Thanksgiving!

The word thankful here is from the Greek eucharistos— and means being mindful of favors; grateful; thankful to God.

Here’s a typical prayer the Pilgrims might’ve actually said at the 1621 harvest feast: “O Lord our God and heavenly Father, which of Thy unspeakable mercy towards us, hast provided meate and drinke for the nourishment of our weake bodies. Grant us peace to use them reverently, as from Thy hands, with thankful hearts: let Thy blessing rest upon these Thy good creatures, to our comfort and sustentation: and grant, we humbly beseech Thee, good Lord, that as we doe hunger and thirst for this food of our bodies, so our soules may earnestly long after the food of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen.”*

As I continued to ponder (and Google) “be ye thankful,” I found the hymn “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come.”** Here are verses 1 and 4:

Come, ye thankful people, come;
Raise the song of Harvest-home.
All be safely gathered in
‘Ere the winter storms begin;
God, our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied,
Come to God’s own temple, come;
Raise the song of Harvest-home.

 Even so, Lord, quickly come
To Thy final Harvest-home;
Gather Thou Thy people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified,
In Thy garner to abide.
Come with all Thine angels, come,
Raise the glorious Harvest-home.

This song is based on Isaiah. 9:3: “You have enlarged the nation; You give them great joy. They rejoice in Your presence as harvesters rejoice” (Isaiah 9:3a, NET).

A few verses later we find the ultimate reason to rejoice and be thankful. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Let us rejoice in the presence of the Lord this Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. The safety and provision He gives us now. The “harvest” of His blessings for us here on earth, and, even more precious through His Son, Jesus, we are the “harvest” He will bring home to heaven one day.

“Thank You for Your many blessings, Father God. May we be mindful of Your favor in our lives, grateful for all You have done and continue to do for us, and above all, thankful You will one day harvest us home. Amen.”

*George Webb, “Short direction for the daily exercise of the Christian,” London 1625. Courtesy of Plimoth Plantation http://www.pilgrimhallmuseum.org/giving_thanks.htm
**Hymn #574 from The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_Text: Isaiah 9: 3 Author: Henry Alford, 1844, cento, alt. Composer: George J. Elvey, 1858 Tune: “St. George”