Giving Thanks

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

“Thanksgiving” is an interesting word, and I started mulling it over a bit. For instance, when used as a noun - “Thanksgiving” is a word that conjures up images of turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. But really, “thanks-giving” is a compound word—and a verb, which describes action - the act of showing gratitude.

This got me thinking about the thanksgiving holiday in more historical terms… and so I turned to the internet, and did a little digging! Here’s what I found out:

Here in Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering the Pilgrims who settled in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest.
Our harvest season falls earlier in Canada than it does across the border, due to the simple fact that Canada is further north, which explains the later American Thanksgiving.

The roots of Thanksgiving in Canada harken back to English explorer Martin Frobisher, who failed to find a northern passage to the Orient but did end up establishing a settlement in Northern America.

In 1578, in what is now called Newfoundland, Frobisher held what is widely considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving - giving thanks for surviving the long journey. Other settlers arrived and continued these celebration ceremonies.

At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held huge feasts of thanks. They even formed 'The Order of Good Cheer' and gladly shared their food with their Indian neighbours.
During the American Revolution, Americans who remained loyal to England moved to Canada, bringing with them the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving to Canada, notably cornucopia's and pumpkin pies.

Over the years many dates were used for Thanksgiving, but finally, on January 31st, 1957, Parliament 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.”

And so, this Thanksgiving Monday, I hope you enjoy a wonderful feast, and that you remember to take a moment to rejoice in our bountiful Canadian harvest, and give thanks for all the riches that mother nature has seen fit to bestow on us.

Happy thanksgiving!