Dear family and friends, Thanksgiving is a joyful day for Christians. On September 6, 1620, a group of English Puritans—Christians who sincerely followed the teachings of the Bible—set sail for the Americas on the wooden ship Mayflower as they faced severe religious persecution. Battling cold, fatigue, hunger, and disease on the Atlantic Ocean for sixty‑six days and nights, they finally arrived at Plymouth in the North American colonies.
In their first winter at Plymouth, many Puritans suffered from hunger and cold and could only look to God’s provision and care. In the spring of the following year, God moved the local tribal chief Massasoit, who led kindhearted Native Americans to give the Puritans grain seeds and to teach them hunting, farming, and fishing.
That year, with the help of the Native Americans, they reaped a great harvest. In response, the first governor, William Bradford, proposed establishing a festival to celebrate the harvest and to thank God for His gifts and manifold care—and also to strengthen friendly relations with the Native Americans. Thus, on a Thursday in late November 1621, the Puritans and ninety Native Americans brought by Massasoit gathered together to celebrate the first Thanksgiving in American history.
In every year, every day, and every moment of our lives, we ought to be thankful. We thank the Lord Jesus Christ, who became flesh and came to earth, shed His blood, and gave His life on the cross to accomplish the work of redemption—so that by believing in Him we receive grace and salvation. We also thank God for the breath of life, the rain and sunshine, and His continual protection and care. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)
You and your family are warmly invited to spend this year’s Thanksgiving with us. We hope that through the message of the gospel you will meet and receive the Savior of life, obtain the promise of eternal life, and experience true peace and joy. May God bless you.