Letter of the Day | There is always something to be thankful for
Published:Saturday | November 30, 2024 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
The celebration of Thanksgiving in Jamaica, the United States ,and Canada marks the beginning of the holiday season that celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year.
It is generally believed that Thanksgiving is modelled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the American Native Wampanoag people.
More than 240 years later, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving in November, to celebrate gratitude and unity amid the turmoil of the Civil War.
This historical significance contrasts sharply in present times with the rush to find the best deals for gifting, and often includes the preparations for welcoming visitors or taking journeys, from short drives to across the country for family gatherings and meals. These gatherings often introduce new acquaintances, igniting spirited emotions and the stage for healing and even reuniting lifelong friends.
While we are truly thankful for these opportunities, we often find ourselves wondering when and where the bounty will be experienced. The pressures of daily living and economic challenges can lead us to overlook the plight of the less fortunate as we navigate through basic necessities.
Yet, hope is never lost, as we are reminded that kindness is a core part of being truly Jamaican. We are hosts to strangers, visitors and caretakers of those genuinely in need. We willingly share what we have and lift one another up with words and gestures, reminding each other that we can and will prevail.
A Jamaican Thanksgiving prayer
Most High, we come before You with grateful hearts, giving thanks and praise for all Your blessings. You are our strength and our guide. In moments of joy and in times of need, we turn to You, seeking Your wisdom and grace.
We share this bounty together as a symbol of Your blessings and remember those who are in need. We ask in prayer that we might help our brothers and sisters across this earth in any way possible.
May we always strive to uplift each other, to share love and kindness in Your name. Help us to walk the path of righteousness, to want more of Your presence in our lives, and to spread Your light in this world.
We Give Thanks
Prayer inspired by the lyrics of Give Thanks and Praise to the Most High and Want More by Bob Marley.
PATRICK BROWN
Pembroke Pines, Florida