Watch this short video featuring Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, talking about the importance of Thanksgiving, and please join us in expressing gratitude for our many blessings.

 


Thanksgiving

November 23, 2023

Hillsdale College was founded in 1844 by men and women “grateful to God for the inestimable blessings” resulting from civil and religious liberty. This Thanksgiving, Hillsdale College gives thanks for the blessings of freedom, learning, and Constitutional government.

 

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From President James Madison’s 1815 Thanksgiving proclamation:

“No people ought to feel greater obligations to celebrate the goodness of the Great Disposer of events, and of the destiny of nations, than the people of the United States. His kind providence originally conducted them to one of the best portions of the dwelling place allotted for the great family of the Human race. He protected and cherished them, under all the difficulties and trials to which they were exposed in their early days. Under His fostering care, their habits, their sentiments, and their pursuits prepared them, for a transition in due time to a state of Independence and Self-Government.”

Read the Full Proclamation

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From President George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving proclamation:

“Whereas 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—and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their Joint Committee requested me “to 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 signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Read the Full Proclamation


Pilgrims Landing by Edward Percy Moran

Thanksgiving Day Prayer 2023

from Rev. Adam Rick, ‪Chaplain, Hillsdale College‬

God the Father, maker of heaven and earth, by you we have our creation and preservation; we thank you for the great gift of life in your good creation: food to sustain us, sun to enlighten us, air to enliven us, friends and family to make our hearts glad.

God the Son, redeemer of the world, through you we have our redemption from sin and reconciliation with the Father; we thank you for the great gift of new life from the dead, secured for us by your precious death and mighty resurrection.

 

God the Spirit, sanctifier of the faithful, in you we have our adoption and sanctification; we thank you for the great gift of indwelling power to live holy lives, for the means of grace, and the hope of everlasting glory of which you are the first-fruits.

Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, ever one God, we thank you for the manifold blessings of the year that is past. Now we appeal to your grace for truly grateful hearts all our days, that we may bask in your grace and show forth your praise, not only with our lips but with our lives, wholly consecrated to your service, and at the last enter into your everlasting embrace. Amen.

Amen.