Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful. We hear it time and time again. But historically it's also been a time when our nation's presidents put their leaderly qualities on display. Usually with a humble sense of gratitude to the Lord. Lincoln proclaimed Thursday, November 23, 1863, as a national day of “Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

With World War II drawing to a victorious close, FDR wrote:

“…that we may bear more earnest witness to our gratitude to Almighty God, I suggest a nationwide reading of the Holy Scriptures during the period from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas.”

Not everyone goes that route though. For example, President Obama’s 2016 Thanksgiving proclamation did not mention the name “God” or “Almighty” in the text... While Obama’s proclamation “gave thanks for all we have received in the past year,” he neglected to specifically credit God for the source of those blessings.

Now, check out how Trump’s proclamation begins:

“On Thanksgiving Day, as we have for nearly four centuries, Americans give thanks to Almighty God for our abundant blessings.  We gather with the people we love to show gratitude for our freedom, for our friends and families, and for the prosperous Nation we call home.”

Trump even quotes from Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation. Classy.

Lastly, Trump put a modern twist on FDR’s 1944 proclamation, suggesting the nation thank God by reading the Holy Scriptures from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

You should do that. You should also watch this video to equip yourself with the facts this holiday season.

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