We have much to celebrate and be thankful for in November of 2024. Another American presidential election has successfully taken place, just as it has every four years in the 248-year history of this Republic of the United States of America. On January 20, 2025, America will once again reset and reboot our governmental leadership at all levels of our federal, state, and local offices across the nation by retaining some politicians and giving others the boot.
It is a proven process of transferring power on a clockwork four-year basis, which has kept the United States of America the greatest country in the world for nearly two and a half centuries. Quite the accomplishment for a democracy, thanks be to God’s blessing on us! Let us praise God daily for making the last 248 years something truly special to celebrate.
Next up is Thanksgiving Day, an annual celebration of the founding of our nation and the plethora of blessings God has bestowed on this American nation since the English settlers established themselves at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607 and held thanksgiving services. Followed by when the Mayflower Pilgrims landed at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where they founded the Plymouth Colony in 1620. Their first Thanksgiving celebration dates back to 1621 when they shared a harvest festival with the Native Americans who helped them with their crops. The courage and perseverance of the early Pilgrims, by the grace of God, became a cherished and celebrated part of our American heritage up to the present day.
On October 3, 1789, George Washington made the first presidential proclamation setting aside a day in November for citizens to celebrate what we call ‘Thanksgiving Day’ today. Have you ever read his proclamation? I have attached it below for you to read for yourself all the references to God, the Ruler of all Nations, and how we should give humble thanks.
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 to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of 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 States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that 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 particularly the national 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 the 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 and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, 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 shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To 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 on the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington
This is just one of many examples in our nation’s historical documents about how our nation was indeed based on a Judeo-Christian foundation, which Satan does not want anyone in the United States to know about in our revisionist history taught to us today.
Then comes Christmas, a day set aside in December each year, originally intended as a day for us to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. Today, it seems the 25th of December has become more of a secular and pagan observance with each passing year; however, the millions of Christians still residing in America today help ensure that our nation remembers and retains the original intended spirit of the Christmas season from year to year, in order that we are still able to celebrate the real ‘reason for the season,’ which is to praise and glorify Jesus Christ.
Most of our favorite traditional pre-20th century Christmas hymns and songs contained sacred references to honor the birth of Jesus Christ and the saving impact of his life on us. Most of our traditional Christmas songs in the 20th century became more secular in nature.
It is amazing the diverse group of men and women God chose to write, compose, and translate our traditional Christmas songs and hymns. Some were wealthy, and others were professional musicians, but in many, many cases, God chose either poor people or individuals with all sorts of physical ailments and infirmities or societal obstacles to overcome in order to create our traditional Christmas music over the course of centuries.
If you wish to learn more about our traditional Christmas music and the people behind it, in order to help your celebration of Christmas this year, I wrote a book published in 2018 titled The Lives of the Christmas Music Makers, which takes a deep dive into the biographies of the people who God used to create our traditional Christmas songs and hymns as we know them today. You can find it for sale on Amazon and other online places.
As I said at the beginning of this article, Americans have much to celebrate during the remainder of this year and in the years to come, for as long we continue as a unified nation.
Ultimately, though, the best thing we have to celebrate is what Jesus Christ did for us after his birth and during his relatively short life on earth. After a three-year ministry intended not only for the spiritual edification of the Israelite people but for all the Gentile people of the world as well, right up to the present day, Jesus willingly laid down his life and shed his blood as a sacrificial lamb to make us righteous with God the Father. Then, through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, He was victorious over death, making it possible for all who believe in Him to have eternal life with God the Father and God the Son. That is truly a cause for joyous celebration every year. My best advice—is to believe in Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Celebrate a new life in Christ this holiday season by giving your heart and life to Jesus.