Day 257
Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic
A series of daily reflections for people of faith, by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor
Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland – pastorrobert@paxpres.org
Week Thirty-seven Thursday 26 November 2020
THANKSGIVING DAY
“To the people of the Cherokee Nation: It is the duty of all men and all governments to humbly recognize Him in whose hands are the destinies of nations as well as individuals, and with earnest and grateful hearts to return thanks to Him for the innumerable blessings bestowed by His hand. Therefore, and in accordance with the proclamation of the President of the United States of America, I, D.W. Bushyhead, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, do hereby designate and appoint Thursday the 17th day of November, 1884, as Thanksgiving Day for the People of the Cherokee Nation.
“Let the Cherokees rejoice in their security, material prosperity, health, and social happiness, making it a day of pleasant family reunions, renewing ties of friendship, remembering generously the poor and unfortunate and praying that as at this time we gratefully render at the same altar, with our brothers our common thanks to God.”
- D.W. Bushyhead, Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation 18 November 1884
Following the Indian Removal Act of 1830 signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, the Cherokees lost everything, possessions and property, as they were forced to walk from Georgia to Oklahoma in 1838-1839, a Trail of Tears on which approximately 4,000 of them died. Unable to provide a traditional burial for their dead, they would sing “Amazing Grace” as they left the hastily buried bodies of their loved ones behind. It brought them great comfort and is today the unofficial national anthem of the Cherokee Nation. My grandfather, born in Indian Territory, spoke the language and grew up with aged relatives who made the forced march and told him stories. The most Christianized of all native American tribes, they sang hymns on that long walk.
While some native Americans join in our traditional Thanksgiving Day celebration, many do not, viewing that first Thanksgiving Day as the beginning of the loss of property, culture and many lives to foreigners from Western Europe. While giving thanks for what we have today may we pause to remember the cost to native Americans and African slaves. This Thanksgiving Day is not based on the past, however, but where we find ourselves now in the midst of a pandemic.
Reflective question: How does Thanksgiving Day today look through your eyes?
Reflective Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Reflective hymn:
“Amazing Grace” –the Trail of Tears hymn, verse 3 – John Newton (1705-1807)
Through many dangers, toils and snares, we have already come,
T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far, and Grace will lead us home.
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