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"Come Ye Thankful People Come"
Henry Alford (1810-1871)
 
The first Thanksgiving was decreed by Governor Bradford in 1621 to commemorate the Pilgrims' harvest.  Later George Washington proclaimed November 26, 1789 as a national day of thanksgiving, but the holiday was not repeated on a national basis until Abraham Lincoln named it a national Harvest Festival on November 28, 1861.  After that time, the holiday was proclaimed annually by the President and the governors of each state.  Finally, in 1941, Congress passed a bill naming the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day.
 
Henry Alford wrote this hymn in 1844 to be used for the English harvest festivals, a movable feast which varied according to the harvest time in the different villages that celebrated it.  Henry was regarded as a gifted Christian leader, a distinguished theologian and scholar.  He was also a writer, poet, artist and musician. 
 
The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful heart.  Carry this truth with you this week as we all celebrate Thanksgiving.