There are observances in these United States that merit their continuance. This does not mean that every citizen should be mandated to celebrate them. This nation was established on the God-given principle of choice — to exercise one’s own will within the confines of law. It is the acknowledgement of Divine blessings that has motivated most presidents to issue a proclamation in observance of a day of Thanksgiving. The eloquence of the first president, George Washington, expressed the gratitude of a nation that recently had won its independence. Thus, in 1789, the first presidential proclamation was issued by the President of the United States of America:

“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 be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors or Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these United States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or will be — That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks — for his kind care and protection of the people of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation — for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war — for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed — for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particular the nation One now lately instituted — for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions — to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly, 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 shown kindness to us) and to bless them with good government, peace and concord — I promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase 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.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.”

The lyrics to the well-known Doxology eloquently state that all blessings come from Above. The gift of salvation through faith in Christ, the Scriptures which reveal Divine thought, the enabling power of the Spirit to live a life that can glorify the Savior, every earthly and spiritual provision, and the assurance of living with God forever should result in unending thanksgiving. Therefore, the Apostle Paul wrote … “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20 NIV). In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the Apostle John noted unending thanksgiving occurring in heaven … “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign” (Rev 11:17 NIV).