Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation: How Gratitude Was Born in a Time of War

When we think of Thanksgiving, we picture peace — family tables, roasted turkeys, gratitude lists, and pumpkin pie. But the real story of America’s national day of thanks began not in abundance, but in blood.In 1863, at the height of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving. The Union was fracturing. Thousands were dying. And yet, in the middle of the nation’s darkest hour, Lincoln dared to call America to give thanks.This episode explores the theology behind Lincoln’s Thanksgiving — how a grieving president and a persistent editor helped create a holiday of covenant humility, not sentimentality. Discover how Lincoln’s faith in divine providence transformed gratitude from a feeling into an act of defiant faith.Because Thanksgiving didn’t begin at a feast.It began at an altar.Theology Made is a listener/reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Theology Made at theologymade.substack.com/subscribe