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Thanksgiving
1. Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to "
give thanks".
Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. [kjv]
εισελθατε εις τας πυλας αυτου εν εξομολογησει εις τας αυλας αυτου εν υμνοις εξομολογεισθε αυτω αινειτε το ονομα αυτου [lxx]
Note the Hebrew semantic parallelism.
gates with thanksgiving
courts with praise
Let us make some observations about the history of Thanksgiving and of giving thanks.
2. Psalms 100:4
KJV: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Hebrew: באו שעריו בתודה חצרתיו בתהלה הודו לו ברכו שמו׃
Greek: εισελθατε εις τας πυλας αυτου εν εξομολογησει εις τας αυλας αυτου εν υμνοις εξομολογεισθε αυτω αινειτε το ονομα αυτου
3. English thank
At Thanksgiving, we "
give thanks". The English word "
thank" appears to have origins in the concept of "
think" whereby one "
thinks" fondly of something that has been done or happened.
Compare the English word "thank" with the German word "Dank" ≈ "thank" with the Old English word "þanc" ≈ "thank" or "þonc" ≈ "thank".
Compare the English word "think" with the German word "denk" ≈ "think" with the Old English word "þencan" ≈ "think".
The Old English "þ" (thorn) had the sound of "
th".
4. Pilgrims
In 1621 the Pilgrims had the first Thanksgiving with the local American Indians. It is a type of "
harvest feast".
Over time, many other states have claimed a share of the first Thanksgiving.
5. Fruit at harvest time
Mark 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. [kjv]
οταν δε παραδοι ο καρπος αποστελλει το δρεπανον οτι παρεστηκεν ο θερισμος [gnt]
Fruit is often gathered at harvest time - a word which often means autumn, crops, harvest time, or all or any of these.
The Middle English word "hervest" ≈ "autumn, harvest time".
The Old English word "hærfest" ≈ "autumn, harvest time".
The German word "Herbst" ≈ "autumn, harvest time"
The modern English word is "harvest".
The English word
"harvest" is related to the ancient Greek word
"καρπός" ≈ "fruit" from the
PIE (Proto Indo-European) root
"*KERP" ≈ "pluck".
The hard "
k", the intermediate "
g" and "
gh", and the soft or missing "
h" are related and change throughout the linguistic history of language development. In a similar manner, the "
p" and "
f" and "
v" sounds are related.
6. Words
The brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, of Fairy Tale fame, gathered tales from many countries. They noticed that there were patterns of many words with the same sound differences from language to language.
The Latin word "centum" ≈ "hundred" and the English word "hundred".
The ancient Greek word "καρπός" ≈ "fruit" and the English word "harvest".
... more to be added ...
7. Mark 4:29
KJV: But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Greek: οταν δε παραδω παραδοι ο καρπος ευθεως ευθυς αποστελλει το δρεπανον οτι παρεστηκεν ο θερισμος
8. Early Thanksgiving
Jokes:
April showers bring May flowers. What do May flowers bring?
Pilgrims
What do students travel on?
Scholar ships.
Puritans and Pilgrims were variations of Protestants.
About 1,000 Puritans came from England.
About 100 Pilgrims came from England.
Not a joke:
What is the difference between a Puritan and a Pilgrim?
The Puritans had not separated from the Church of England.
9. Turkey
The name of the turkey bird appears to have come from the similarity of the North American bird with a bird from the country of Turkey. The English word
"Turkey" comes, through Latin, from the ancient Greek word
"Τοῦρκος" ≈ "Turkey" which comes from the Persian word which comes from Old Turkic.
What is similar between Thanksgiving and Halloween?
Halloween has goblins. Thanksgiving has gobblers.
10. Shortened names
The name "turkey bird" shortened to "turkey".
The name "pizza pie" shortened to "pizza".
In modern Greek, the ancient Greek words for "
fresh water" shortened to the "
fresh" part meaning "
water".
11. Talk turkey
It is unclear where the phrase "talk turkey" originated.
This is very different from "talking Turkish" which means to talk in the Turkish languages.
12. Philadelphia
Philadelphia (modern Turkish name of "
Alaşehir ") is one of the seven churches to whom letters are provided by Jesus in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:11 … write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. [kjv]
3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; … [kjv]
13. Revelation 1:11
KJV: Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Greek: λεγουσης εγω ειμι το α και το ω ο πρωτος και ο εσχατος και ο βλεπεις γραψον εις βιβλιον και πεμψον ταις επτα εκκλησιαις ταις εν ασια εις εις εφεσον και εις σμυρναν και εις περγαμον και εις θυατειρα και εις σαρδεις και εις φιλαδελφειαν και εις λαοδικειαν
14. Revelation 3:7
KJV: And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Greek: και τω αγγελω της εν φιλαδελφεια εκκλησιας γραψον ταδε λεγει ο αγιος ο αληθινος ο εχων την κλειδα του δαβιδ κλειν δαυιδ ο ανοιγων και ουδεις κλειει κλεισει και κλειει κλειων και ουδεις ανοιγει
15. Benjamin Franklin and the turkey
Benjamin Franklin, from Philadelphia, had suggested the
turkey as a national bird, but that recommendation was not followed.
What sound does a limping turkey make?
Wobble, wobble, wobble.
What is the best way to stop telling turkey jokes?
To do it cold turkey.
16. Turkeys
What would the
NFL (National Football League) be like with a team name of the Philadelphia Turkeys?
Saying:
It is hard to soar like an eagle when surrounded with turkeys.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. [kjv]
17. Isaiah 40:31
KJV: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Hebrew: וקוי יהוה יחליפו כח יעלו אבר כנשרים ירוצו ולא ייגעו ילכו ולא ייעפו׃
Greek: οι δε υπομενοντες τον θεον αλλαξουσιν ισχυν πτεροφυησουσιν ως αετοι δραμουνται και ου κοπιασουσιν βαδιουνται και ου πεινασουσιν
18. George Washington
In 1789 George Washington (1732-1799) declared a federal holiday for Thanksgiving after a request from Congress. The proclamation starts as follows (underlining added).
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. ...
This observance of Thanksgiving was then sporadic.
19. Grandfather's house
In 1844, Lydia Maria Child wrote a poem about Thanksgiving entitled "
Over the River and Through the Woods".
Over the river and through the woods,
To Grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
Through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river and through the woods,
To Grandfather's house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
For 'tis Thanksgiving Day.
This poem is quite different from the song,
Grandma got run over by a reindeer.
20. Stanzas 3 and 4
Over the river and through the woods,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose
As over the ground we go.
Over the river and through the woods,
And straight through the barnyard gate;
We seem to go extremely slow,
It is so hard to wait!
21. Stanzas 5 and 6
Over the river and through the woods,
When Grandmother sees us come,
She will say, O, dear, the children are here,
Bring a pie for everyone.
Over the river and through the woods,
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
22. Abraham Lincoln and Thanksgiving
In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "
Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens" to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November.
"
Proclamation: For a day of Thanksgiving, Praise, and Prayer."
23. Ulysses S. Grant
In 1870 President Ulysses S. Grant signed the "
Holidays Act" making Thanksgiving official. Trivia question often asked by
Groucho Marx (1890-1977) on the game show "
You bet your life":
Who is buried in Grant's Tomb?
No one. Tombs are underground. Sarcophagi are above ground.
Who is buried in the Jesus's tomb?
No one. He is resurrected.
24. Tomb of Jesus
Matthew 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. [kjv]
28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [kjv]
25. Matthew 28:5
KJV: And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
Greek: αποκριθεις δε ο αγγελος ειπεν ταις γυναιξιν μη φοβεισθε υμεις οιδα γαρ οτι ιησουν τον εσταυρωμενον ζητειτε
26. Matthew 28:6
KJV: He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Greek: ουκ εστιν ωδε ηγερθη γαρ καθως ειπεν δευτε ιδετε τον τοπον οπου εκειτο ο κυριος
27. Macys and New York
Macy's started an annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924 in New York City, televised by
NBC (National Broadcasting Corporation).
The traditional last float in the parade ins that of Santa Claus which tends to be the beginning of the Christmas season. In recent years, many Christmas decorations and items start appearing after Halloween on October 31.
28. Gimbels and Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade started in 1920 and was originally associated with Gimbles department store (closed in 1986), a rival of Macy's department store.
29. Franklin Roosevelt
In 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or
FDR, decided to move Thanksgiving to a week earlier. Many people called it "
Franksgiving".
One joke (from Hollywood) shows Thanksgiving appear on one date for Democrats and a week later for Republicans.
In 1942,
FDR, signed the law (initiated and passed by Congress) making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November rather than the last Thursday in November or the "
Franksgiving" date.
30. Turkey pardoning
Over the years, there have been many turkeys at the White House for Thanksgiving (perhaps at other times too).
Since President John F. Kennedy in 1963, most Thanksgiving turkeys at the White House have been spared or "
pardoned" - often being sent to petting zoos.
Because of being bred for their huge size, they rarely live to the next Thanksgiving. That should be "
food for thought", but
not frozen food as in "
food for thaw-it".
31. Matthew 6:28-29 Red letter verses
Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [kjv]
και περι ενδυματος τι μεριμνατε καταμαθετε τα κρινα του αγρου πως αυξανουσιν ου ουδε νηθουσιν [gnt]
6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [kjv]
λεγω δε υμιν οτι ουδε σολομων εν παση τη δοξη αυτου περιεβαλετο ως εν τουτων [gnt]
The Greek word for
"lily" is a play on words on "
judging" as "
separating". Solomon was known for his wisdom in judging.
The ancient Greek word "κρίνο" ≈ "lily".
The ancient Greek word "κρίνω" ≈ "separate, distinguish" and often translated as "judge".
The Greek translated as
"glory" is that of
"opinion".
32. Red tape analogy
Here is an analogy using double-meanings in English to refer to government practices.
The government is known for "red tape" to slow down and burden processes.
A red type of pansy is a flower. Call it a "red-tape pansy".
A "pansy" is a term to refer to a "wimp".
Analogy:
Consider these red-tape pansies [judger's] of the world. They increase, they do not work, they spend. Yet even George Washington in all his glory (opinion) was not surrounded (clothed) by red-tape pansies [judger's] such as these (current red-tape pansies).
33. Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown (Charles Shultz) got involved with Thanksgiving in 1973, the 10th Charlie Brown special.
1, 1965: "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
2. 1966: "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"
...
10. 1973: "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving"
By this time, any reference to Biblical ideas was omitted from the performance.
34. Thanksgiving and football
For many years, a Thanksgiving tradition is that of an
NFL football game.
Eat turkey, dessert, etc. Watch football. Fall asleep.
Wake up and have left-overs. Watch more football. Fall asleep again.
Some teams originally agreed to play on Thanksgiving - Detroit, Dallas. Others agreed to play them. The tradition continues.
Why did one football team have to start wearing white uniforms?
To distinguish the two teams on black and white TV sets.
35. Friday and Monday
In recent times,
Black Friday is the commercial part of the day after Thanksgiving that begins the countdown to Christmas.
In more recent times,
Cyber Monday is the Internet version of the Black Friday retail store phenomena.
What did the turkey do on the computer?
Google, Google, Google.
36. Friendsgiving
What do you call a holiday dinner without the parents?
Friendsgiving.
In recent years, a "
Friendsgiving" is a blend of friends and Thanksgiving in addition to just family.
In another sense, Friendsgiving may by a way to take the Biblical "
thanks" out of "
Thanksgiving".
37. Thanksgiving songs
38. Laughing all the way
The
Christmas song "
Jingle bells", written for
Thanksgiving, has a line about "
laughing".
Dashing through the snow,
in a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go,
laughing all the way
[West Point, laughing all the way]
39. Thank you
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [kjv]
μηδεν μεριμνατε αλλ εν παντι τη προσευχη και τη δεησει μετ ευχαριστιας τα αιτηματα υμων γνωριζεσθω προς τον θεον [gnt]
The Greek for "
thanksgiving" is that of "
thank you" which, in Greek, means "
good favor" and comes, through Latin, as the Eucharist.
40. Christmas presents
Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. [kjv]
The present topic is having a presence about presents.
Bringing presents for Thanksgiving is not the same as coming into his presence with thanksgiving!
I thought presents were for Christmas?
[December 5]
41. Song: Jingle Bells
"One Horse Open Sleigh", written Thanksgiving, 1850.
James Lord Pierpont in Salem, New England
Inspiration: Looking out the window at Thanksgiving (on Thursday) and needing a church song (for Sunday)
Pierpont later moved to Savannah, GA, where the song was published.
What was "
S.S. Royer Harness Maker"? (in Elizabethtown)
42. Jingle Bells - verse
Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way
Bells on bob tail ring, making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing, a sleighing song tonight!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.
(repeat once)
43. A one horse open sleigh
What was "
S.S. Royer Harness Maker"? (in Elizabethtown)
44. Song: For the Beauty of the Earth
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh … [kjv]
Englishman Folliott Pierpoint (1835-1917) was so impressed with the beauty of the Bath countryside, with the Avon river in the distance, that he wrote the words to this hymn "
For the beauty of the earth" in 1864.
When singing the hymn, think of walking through a majestic countryside filled with the beauty of God's creation.
Pierpoint intended the hymn as a Eucharistic hymn for the Communion service. This is a popular hymn for Thanksgiving.
45. End of page
