Thanksgiving: Washington, Lincoln, Pilgrims, and the Virtue of Gratitude

One of the most important virtues, which is disturbingly rare today, is gratitude. Americans — particularly young people — now act as if the world owes them happiness and prosperity no matter what they do. But our forefathers knew better. From Washington to Lincoln, from Florida to Massachusetts, they understood that all goods come from God and we owe Him gratitude in return.

Why are so many Americans unhappy? Most of us have comforts and luxuries that over 99% of people throughout history could only dream of having. Our technology, our food choices (even under Biden), our entertainment opportunities; not to mention friends, family, and the rights and freedoms the government hasn’t completely destroyed yet. Still so many Americans are miserable. That’s because gratitude is a prerequisite of happiness. We cannot properly enjoy anything, even wealth and pleasure, unless we are grateful.

G.K. Chesterton once said, “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” He was English, not American, but he was a great admirer of the Founding Fathers, and his statement can certainly inspire us as we celebrate Thanksgiving today. God meant us to be perpetually grateful, even when we face troubles and obstacles. We see thanks offered to God throughout the Bible; even Jesus, Who was both God and man, prayed, “I thank thee, Father” (Matt. 11:25). When the first Europeans came to the New World, they, too, thanked God.

Read the rest of the story of the Thanksgiving holiday on Substack!