However, this is not my favorite early thanksgiving story. I like one told in William Bradford's journal better. I think I'll share it with you all today. It follows that first Thanksgiving we've all head about, the Thanksgiving of 1621.
My source is a FANTASTIC history book Buddy and are using this year, called The Light and the Glory for Children
The winter of 1621-22 was particularly hard for the colonists of Plymouth. They entered into what they called a 'starvation time' They were down to a daily ration of 5 kernels of corn per person. Unexpectedly a ship came in, carrying extra food...the Lord had provided for these faithful men and woman.
Just 1 year goes by, with the Pilgrims scraping by. Spring 1623 didn't provide much hope. They planted twice as much corn as they'd need, and yet, drought came. These Godly people decided they needed to commit their fields to prayer. Rain came....as they were praying in their common house.
That fall, they had corn for the winter, even had a little for trade. That harvest, they had a Thanksgiving feast, to thank God for providing for them what they need. At each place, was one of those daily rations of 5 kernels of corn, to remind them how much the Lord had provided.
We are going to have 5 kernels of corn at each of our place settings tonight, to remind us that God provides for us, just as he did for those early Americans.
