Scriptures: Psa.100; Lev.23:33-43
Greetings “Fan”-tastic Passengers,
God desires that His people should always be of a joyful and thankful heart before Him. This is because when we rejoice and give thanks to the Lord, for His goodness and mercy toward us, we are blessed with His inner peace and strength. Furthermore, with a thankful heart, I believe that Canada, as a nation has been immensely blessed by God, with her vast fruitful land and people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Since her existence, Canada has welcomed people from most, if not all of the nations of the world. Many have fled to her wings for refuge and have now come to call this blessed nation, home. Ultimately, God has also provided in abundance for Canada and her people and, therefore, desires that they always remember to: “Be thankful unto Him” for His bountiful harvest and much deliverance which He has wrought in their lives.
In the Old Testament Scriptures, in the book of Leviticus 23:33-34 God instituted the joyful Feast of Tabernacles, as He: “…spake unto Moses, saying, speak unto the children of Israel, saying, the fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord.” This holy day is one of the three festivals that were celebrated by Israel (until 70 C.E.) with mass pilgrimages to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Today, concurrently with Thanksgiving celebrations in Canada, Jews celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, also called Sukkot or Festival of Booths, in the fall, four days after Yom Kippur. Sukkot is a joyous celebration of the harvest, as well as a time during which the Jews give thanks to God, as they remember Israel’s wandering in the Sinai desert, before entering the Promised Land.
Sukkot last seven days and has its roots as a fall harvest festival. In Israel, the harvest of grapes, olives, and other crops, simultaneously, ends at this time of year. It is also a time when Israel’s farmers wait in hope for the first rain and the start of a new and fertile planting year.
Sukkot also commemorates the Jews’ wanderings in the wilderness for forty years under Moses. Therefore, during Sukkot celebration, the Jews erect what is called, sukkot booths for temporary dwelling that resemble the structures in which the Israelites lived in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. The sukkah or booth consists of four walls made of wood, canvas, or other material. The roof is made of branches or leaves thatched loosely so that one may glimpse the stars in the sky above. It is decorated with flowers, fruit, and paper chains. The family eats meals in the sukkah, which becomes a colourful gathering place for family and friends and some even sleep there to fulfill the biblical command to “dwell” in the sukkah for seven days.
At the same time that Jews offer thanks to God for material blessings, they take refuge in the sukkah and recall the frailty, vulnerability, and transitory nature of human existence. Therefore, they are called to reaffirm their ultimate dependence on God alone instead of material goods for happiness and spiritual fulfillment.
The Psalmist David, in Psalm 100 sends out a call, which goes beyond the chosen people to, “…all ye lands” that is, all the peoples of the earth, to celebrate thanksgiving and worship to God, as they: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Psa.100:1-2).
Why was it necessary for the Psalmist to send out this call?
The astounding reason the Psalmist gives why everyone should give thanks to God is that: “…the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” This means that, God is also the King and Shepherd of all the peoples of the earth, as to whether they are aware of it or not. Therefore, we should all give thanks to Him (Psa.100:3).
Consequently, in loving service of thanksgiving to Him, all of God’s people of the earth, as the sheep of His pasture, should: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psa.100:4-5).
In fact, many of us can testify of God’s faithfulness in providing for all of our daily needs, such that we can boldly say: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1b). Certainly, our confidence in His guidance of our every step in life, is also amazing, as He is always with us and gives us boldness, so that we can walk even through: “the valley of the shadow of death” and: “…fear no evil” (Psa.100:4).
Most of all, we give thanks to God for His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who, came into the world and gave His life: “… a ransom for many” (Matt.20:28b). The price which He paid for our freedom from sin and condemnation, none on earth can compare to it (1 Pet.1:18-19). As a result, we have much to give thanks for to God, as it is through the ransom of Jesus’ life, that all humanity, who come to Him by faith, believing in His finished work at Calvary are ransomed from the wrath of a holy God (2 Cor.5:21).
Interestingly, Canada’s history tells us of a Day which has been proclaimed by Parliament, to be a day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.
How did this day come about?
The history of Thanksgiving in Canada can be traced back to the 1578 voyage of Martin Frobisher, from England, who was in search of the Northwest Passage. His third voyage, to the Frobisher Bay area of Baffin Island in the present Canadian Territory of Nunavut, set out with the intention of starting a small settlement. His fleet of fifteen ships was outfitted with men, materials, and provisions. However, through the loss of one of his ship, which came into contact with ice, along with much of the building material, prevented him from accomplishing that which he had set out to do. The expedition was plagued by ice and freak storms, which at times had scattered the fleet. Nevertheless, on meeting together again at their anchorage in Frobisher Bay, "... Mayster Wolfall (Robert Wolfall), a learned man, appointed by her Majesties Councell to be their Minister and Preacher, made unto them a godly sermon, exhorting them especially to be thankful to God, for their strange and miraculous deliverance in those so dangerous places ...". They celebrated Communion and "The celebration of divine mystery was the first sign, scale, and confirmation of Christ's name, death and passion ever known in all these quarters." Consequently, in later years, the Parliament of Canada made a proclamation:
On Thursday, January 31, 1957, the Parliament of Canada proclaimed:
A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed – to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.
Since the proclamation by the Parliament of Canada, Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day (Canadian French: Jour de l'Action de grâce), occurs on the second Monday in October each year and is commemorated as an annual Canadian holiday, which celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year.
As a liturgical festival, Thanksgiving corresponds to the English and continental European Harvest festival, where the Churches are decorated with pumpkins, corn, wheat sheaves and other harvest bounty. English and European hymns are sung during the Thanksgiving service.
While the actual Thanksgiving holiday is on a Monday, Canadians may gather for their Thanksgiving feast on any day during the long weekend.
On October 13, we invite you to join with us, as our nation will pause once again to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Let us be inspired by the example of our forefathers and be a people, who are extremely thankful to God, for His abundant harvest, as well as, for His mighty deliverance from sin, which He has wrought in many of our lives.
This Thanksgiving, as you gather with family and friends, I trust that you will enjoy some quality time together.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Stay strong! Stay encouraged!
Many thanks for your continued support, in purchasing my music. If you have already purchased yours, you may also wish to consider purchasing music to bless the life of someone else. Joy Creed album/s or track/s, may be purchased at any of the following:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/joycreed
www.joycreed.com/audiocd
https://www.reverbnation.com/joycreed
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/yadah-single/id52179152
Your Conductor,
Joy
©Creed's Melody
'Positive Message: Diverse Cultures'
Website: http://www.joycreed.com
Blog: (http://joycreed.blogspot.ca/)
Facebook: http://facebook.com/joy.creed
Twitter: http://twitter.com/joycreedmusic
Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiN68R6Qo5g
ReverbNation: http://reverbnation.com/joycreed
Greetings “Fan”-tastic Passengers,
God desires that His people should always be of a joyful and thankful heart before Him. This is because when we rejoice and give thanks to the Lord, for His goodness and mercy toward us, we are blessed with His inner peace and strength. Furthermore, with a thankful heart, I believe that Canada, as a nation has been immensely blessed by God, with her vast fruitful land and people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Since her existence, Canada has welcomed people from most, if not all of the nations of the world. Many have fled to her wings for refuge and have now come to call this blessed nation, home. Ultimately, God has also provided in abundance for Canada and her people and, therefore, desires that they always remember to: “Be thankful unto Him” for His bountiful harvest and much deliverance which He has wrought in their lives.
In the Old Testament Scriptures, in the book of Leviticus 23:33-34 God instituted the joyful Feast of Tabernacles, as He: “…spake unto Moses, saying, speak unto the children of Israel, saying, the fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord.” This holy day is one of the three festivals that were celebrated by Israel (until 70 C.E.) with mass pilgrimages to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Today, concurrently with Thanksgiving celebrations in Canada, Jews celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, also called Sukkot or Festival of Booths, in the fall, four days after Yom Kippur. Sukkot is a joyous celebration of the harvest, as well as a time during which the Jews give thanks to God, as they remember Israel’s wandering in the Sinai desert, before entering the Promised Land.
Sukkot last seven days and has its roots as a fall harvest festival. In Israel, the harvest of grapes, olives, and other crops, simultaneously, ends at this time of year. It is also a time when Israel’s farmers wait in hope for the first rain and the start of a new and fertile planting year.
Sukkot also commemorates the Jews’ wanderings in the wilderness for forty years under Moses. Therefore, during Sukkot celebration, the Jews erect what is called, sukkot booths for temporary dwelling that resemble the structures in which the Israelites lived in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. The sukkah or booth consists of four walls made of wood, canvas, or other material. The roof is made of branches or leaves thatched loosely so that one may glimpse the stars in the sky above. It is decorated with flowers, fruit, and paper chains. The family eats meals in the sukkah, which becomes a colourful gathering place for family and friends and some even sleep there to fulfill the biblical command to “dwell” in the sukkah for seven days.
At the same time that Jews offer thanks to God for material blessings, they take refuge in the sukkah and recall the frailty, vulnerability, and transitory nature of human existence. Therefore, they are called to reaffirm their ultimate dependence on God alone instead of material goods for happiness and spiritual fulfillment.
The Psalmist David, in Psalm 100 sends out a call, which goes beyond the chosen people to, “…all ye lands” that is, all the peoples of the earth, to celebrate thanksgiving and worship to God, as they: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Psa.100:1-2).
Why was it necessary for the Psalmist to send out this call?
The astounding reason the Psalmist gives why everyone should give thanks to God is that: “…the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” This means that, God is also the King and Shepherd of all the peoples of the earth, as to whether they are aware of it or not. Therefore, we should all give thanks to Him (Psa.100:3).
Consequently, in loving service of thanksgiving to Him, all of God’s people of the earth, as the sheep of His pasture, should: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psa.100:4-5).
In fact, many of us can testify of God’s faithfulness in providing for all of our daily needs, such that we can boldly say: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1b). Certainly, our confidence in His guidance of our every step in life, is also amazing, as He is always with us and gives us boldness, so that we can walk even through: “the valley of the shadow of death” and: “…fear no evil” (Psa.100:4).
Most of all, we give thanks to God for His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who, came into the world and gave His life: “… a ransom for many” (Matt.20:28b). The price which He paid for our freedom from sin and condemnation, none on earth can compare to it (1 Pet.1:18-19). As a result, we have much to give thanks for to God, as it is through the ransom of Jesus’ life, that all humanity, who come to Him by faith, believing in His finished work at Calvary are ransomed from the wrath of a holy God (2 Cor.5:21).
Interestingly, Canada’s history tells us of a Day which has been proclaimed by Parliament, to be a day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.
How did this day come about?
The history of Thanksgiving in Canada can be traced back to the 1578 voyage of Martin Frobisher, from England, who was in search of the Northwest Passage. His third voyage, to the Frobisher Bay area of Baffin Island in the present Canadian Territory of Nunavut, set out with the intention of starting a small settlement. His fleet of fifteen ships was outfitted with men, materials, and provisions. However, through the loss of one of his ship, which came into contact with ice, along with much of the building material, prevented him from accomplishing that which he had set out to do. The expedition was plagued by ice and freak storms, which at times had scattered the fleet. Nevertheless, on meeting together again at their anchorage in Frobisher Bay, "... Mayster Wolfall (Robert Wolfall), a learned man, appointed by her Majesties Councell to be their Minister and Preacher, made unto them a godly sermon, exhorting them especially to be thankful to God, for their strange and miraculous deliverance in those so dangerous places ...". They celebrated Communion and "The celebration of divine mystery was the first sign, scale, and confirmation of Christ's name, death and passion ever known in all these quarters." Consequently, in later years, the Parliament of Canada made a proclamation:
Proclamation
On Thursday, January 31, 1957, the Parliament of Canada proclaimed:
A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed – to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.
Since the proclamation by the Parliament of Canada, Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day (Canadian French: Jour de l'Action de grâce), occurs on the second Monday in October each year and is commemorated as an annual Canadian holiday, which celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year.
As a liturgical festival, Thanksgiving corresponds to the English and continental European Harvest festival, where the Churches are decorated with pumpkins, corn, wheat sheaves and other harvest bounty. English and European hymns are sung during the Thanksgiving service.
While the actual Thanksgiving holiday is on a Monday, Canadians may gather for their Thanksgiving feast on any day during the long weekend.
On October 13, we invite you to join with us, as our nation will pause once again to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Let us be inspired by the example of our forefathers and be a people, who are extremely thankful to God, for His abundant harvest, as well as, for His mighty deliverance from sin, which He has wrought in many of our lives.
This Thanksgiving, as you gather with family and friends, I trust that you will enjoy some quality time together.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Stay strong! Stay encouraged!
Many thanks for your continued support, in purchasing my music. If you have already purchased yours, you may also wish to consider purchasing music to bless the life of someone else. Joy Creed album/s or track/s, may be purchased at any of the following:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/joycreed
www.joycreed.com/audiocd
https://www.reverbnation.com/joycreed
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/yadah-single/id52179152
Your Conductor,
Joy
©Creed's Melody
'Positive Message: Diverse Cultures'
Website: http://www.joycreed.com
Blog: (http://joycreed.blogspot.ca/)
Facebook: http://facebook.com/joy.creed
Twitter: http://twitter.com/joycreedmusic
Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiN68R6Qo5g
ReverbNation: http://reverbnation.com/joycreed