Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving, but do you know why we have this holiday? In the video above, Pat Robertson reads George Washington’s famous Thanksgiving Proclamation from 1789. In this proclamation, George Washington tells why a day of thanksgiving was created. He starts by saying it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor. . . . I recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of almighty God.

Many presidents after George Washington continued to recognize a day of Thanksgiving, but it was not until Abraham Lincoln took office that this day was made a national holiday in 1863. Do not lose focus this holiday season of why we are here and what this day was intended to represent. God said in Isaiah 43:7, “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” Choose to glorify God this day and everyday by obeying His Word and giving Him thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Happy Thanksgiving!