"Thanksgiving"... Ah yes, the day (the "one" day), that most in this country (especially Christians), give thanks to God. But do you know its origin? Thanksgiving originated in this country with the Pilgrims which held a three day feast in the fall of 1621, which is the customary time span by the way, for ancient pagan celebrations, and in essence is nothing more than a traditional autumn feast of the Druids, the Anglo-Saxons called "Harvest Home".

Harvest Home -- was a holiday on which villagers joined together in bringing the last load of grain from the fields and culminated in a "merry feast" when all the work was completed. This pagan feast continued in England for many, many years until it finally found legitimacy through a new name, "Thanksgiving". But whom was it that thanks were being given to?

The Harvest queen -- is a name given to Ceres the goddess of agriculture and crops and was many times represented by a young woman, chosen by the reapers, to whom this post of honor was bestowed...a post of honor at the Harvest Home.

Okay, you might say, what does this all have to do with the "Christians" of today and the beloved Thanksgiving celebration in which all that participate gorge themselves to the point of gluttony...and WHAT can it ever have to do with a pagan celebration called Harvest Home?

Well if you have a hymnal handy, see if it contains the Thanksgiving anthem, "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come". And if it's not in your particular hymnal, click on the image below to view: