AboutUS By Hotspotorlando #24 | Page 12

Politically "in"correct - by Betty Kisby Thanksgiving King James I of England was persecuting anyone and everyone who did not recognize his absolute civil and spiritual authority, freedom of worship was discouraged to the point of death in some cases. Looking for freedom to worship God the Pilgrims left England in 1620, going to the New World, over a hundred men, women and children survived the sea, lead by William Bradford , he set up a contract, that was called the Mayflower compact, Bradford took the ideas from the Old and the New Testaments, yes, from the Bible. Finally, they arrived in Massachusetts in November. Hunger and the winter killed half of them. But the Pilgrims prayed, they trusted God to get them through and prayed, prayed for a miracle , and God provided a miracle, it was the local natives that helped them to survive, tough them what they needed to know. The governor, assigned a plot of land to each family to work and manage. And they worked hard, and they were blessed. The Pilgrims then declared a three-day feast, to thank God and to celebrate, sharing with their new friends. They really didn't know they were celebrating the first Thanksgiving. Now it was probably not turkey, cramberry sauce and potatoes that they ate, and no pumkin pie! but God was at the center of their thanksgiving, not the turkey. This year, remember this is not Fall harvest, harvest festival or turkey day. It is Thanksgiving.