Quite simply, Thanksgiving Day is a time of appreciation for a bountiful harvest.

First celebrated at the Plymouth Plantation in 1621 (debatable) by the Pilgrims and the Native American Wampanoag tribe in North America, it was a meal shared by all.  Traditionally, this meal of appreciation is made from what each person has brought to the table.  In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October.  In the United States, the festival is held the fourth Thursday of November.

These days, whether we’re farmers, natives, or not, Thanksgiving is often a time for family, friends and neighbors to join together in harmonious praise.  Grace, a blessing or a prayer of thanks to God is often said before the meal begins.

Tell us, please, what you and yours are thankful for this Thanksgiving.  Write a comment below and share the bounty.

I am Thankful for my family, friends, people I work with, and the great grace that God gives me beyond my needs and dreams. I thank God for good health and the ability to help others be healthy.  I am thankful for you, my readers and the Beliefnet community.