Growing up in Louisa – Thankfulness!
Weekly feature . . . by Mike Coburn
Thanksgiving is the special day that we as a nation have set aside to express our appreciation to our maker for the blessings that we otherwise take for granted during the rest of the year. In this country especially, it is also a time for merchants to put forth their best efforts since it marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Some of us will pause to remember the source of our good fortune, the full larders, and our warm tummies. Retailers have already put up those bright sparkly Christmas decorations in hope of inciting wild shopping sprees. Success in this season will either provide prosperity, or spell economic downturns that none of us want to see. Most of us anticipate and look forward to the grand bargains on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) and the hectic days to follow. Our pulses race as TV commercials remind us that it is only ‘X’ number of days until Christmas! Many people have become so distracted, or are so ill-informed that they think the whole point of Christmas is that’s when Santa Claus delivers his goodies. Still, there are those that remember what they were taught in their youth, and celebrate the ‘real meaning’ of this season.
If somehow you are new to all of this and are lost in the commotion, or if you have been wondering what it’s all about, I’ll try to tell you what I think may have happened. In the next few paragraphs I’ll give you a little background.
Thanksgiving apparently began way back during a time when Europeans had only just discovered North America and were struggling to settle down in the new world. There are historical arguments that one of two groups of people called for a temporary peace with the American natives so they might come together and rejoice over a bountiful harvest in this new land. The Indians, as they were called, and the white settlers where situated at one of two places. One in New England, and the another further south in Virginia. Both locations claim to have been ‘first’ in what has become a traditional annual celebration. It is rather beside the point as to which was really first since the result was the same and the holiday is now part of our collective lives.
I suppose it is possible that both groups, apparently without the knowledge of the activities of the other, cooked up a lavish meal with attendees cheerfully bringing their ‘potluck’ dishes to openly share. I’m sure it was a magical cultural exchange as the feathered natives and the armored pilgrims joined in celebration. I remember drawing greeting cards in Louisa Grade School showing pilgrims welcoming their Indian guests to the feast. Every picture I have seen about the event was drawn by people who weren’t there. Those continue to show that venison, turkey, and other wildlife was brought in by the natives while the Europeans cooked up a lovely stew with potatoes, squirrel, and corn in a big cauldron. They partied and intermingled after giving a blessing over the food. I’m thinking this was seen as more than your usual tailgate party since this was the ‘charter’ event and trucks weren’t allowed. For comparison the crowd was also a good bit smaller than the ones we religiously stir up nowadays before game time. That also stands to reason since football was yet to be invented, and there was but a handful of us Europeans in the land at this time.
From those early, rough beginnings we developed a practice of giving thanks for our blessings that ‘thank goodness’ persists to this day. ‘Pigging out’ was a rare thing for those early settlers since in those early days they experienced ‘starving times’ that reduced their ranks by half or more. They had good reason to be grateful for a banquet. This first feast was shared about and became an event to remember and repeat. Over time those big meals became more private and the guest list was reduced to family and maybe some friends. Finally, it became a family ‘homecoming’ of sorts except for an odd guest or two. I know we’ve reached out to invite others a few times, but not every year by any means.
It was a few decades, or rather centuries, later when some Madison Avenue marketing genius developed the concept of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Other localities saw the retail potential and soon joined the mix to create their own spectacles. America was growing as new communities grew into cities. New stores opened to serve the growing hoard of settlers and the marketing ploy we know as ‘SALES’ began in earnest. Now it was possible for the natives and immigrants to shop their hearts out in mindless celebration. When Santa led the parades on his sleigh with a team of reindeer even the children became involved. While some demanded their desires be filled, most were thankful that new toys and presents were to arrive in the days to come. Amazingly, as it happened, this Thanksgiving holiday occurred exactly one month before our traditional ‘Christmas Day.’ We are lucky that our forefathers had insight enough to bring these events together so perfectly.
When I grew up in that happy little town on the Big Sandy, I remember seeing the bustle of people frantically looking for just the right gift. Anxious eyes went over several lists to insure that no one was overlooked. The food was fantastic and included ham, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs, macaroni and cheese, green beans, three-bean salad, hot rolls, and pumpkin pies, pecan pies, chocolate pies, custard (in pies or baked), ice cream, apple cider, tea, and coffee. It was a time to lite the fireplace to add a bit of cheer and that would encourage an over-nourished crew to nap. I was, and remain thankful for those formative years among the community’s kind, generous, and caring people. I hope the tradition has continued for you.
Well, you might be asking, “What does eating, parades, and gifts have to do with anything?” Not to be brushed off so quickly the lords of advertising and retail sales would answer loudly in unison, “At that first Christmas so long ago the Magi brought the Christ-child gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It naturally follows that we give gifts in remembrance.” So we bowed to the gods of door-busting deals and gave our thanks to Santa. It was a ‘win-win situation.’
Still confused about connecting banquets, shopping, parades, or Black Friday? Maybe we all should scratch our heads and admit we’ve lost much of our original focus. The economy is important, but the traditional Christmas season with all the fun, bonding, and Hallmark movies, has maybe gotten a bit too out of focus and over-commercialized. Sales in themselves aren’t a bad thing, but we should remember the lesson given when Christ threw the ‘money changers’ out of the Temple. For us to be totally distracted from the true meaning of Christmas is an affront in light of the blessings we have enjoyed. I think both Thanksgiving and Christmas were originally meant for us to have a time to remember the source of our good fortune. It is altogether appropriate we do so with gratefulness.
While we’re at it, the good foods at our banqueting tables are appreciated, and enjoyed, but we should also remember that many aren’t as fortunate, including many in the USA. We are particularly blessed here in America, but some around are suffering. That fact alone should make us grateful for what we have.
I’m thinking we ought to turn around and remake Christ the focus of Christmas. I’m in favor of gifts, but we should be careful to not lose the ‘reason for the season.’ I also believe that brotherly love is a good thing, but not just during the holidays. I remember best those in the old days who cared and gave their help year around, not just on the holiday, but when help was needed. One farmer taking care of a neighbor’s chores during sickness or bereavement, or forgiveness of a debt during tough times, is a true mark of an on-going Christmas spirit. Chances are someone helped you once, or someone you know reached out with a helping hand and made a difference. That’s brotherly love and yet another reason to be thankful.
So join me and the others that will take time to humbly give thanks throughout this magical season. As you ‘dig in,’ my friends, remember to give thanks. While you’re at it, be one of those that blesses others during this season with a hearty ‘Merry Christmas.’ Share the story of the nativity with your children and grandchildren. Get them involved with church pageants and choirs. Cookies and milk are good, but young ears need to know about that stable of long ago in Bethlehem. That’s worth celebrating and is the remaining truth in all of this I’ve written about. It is meant to be a season of goodwill, joy and thankfulness. For tradition and the sake of others, please do your part and make it so.
