The following is the first in a series of articles about holidays around the world.  If you celebrate a holiday in your country that you think other people would like to learn about, please email family@ucd.net and let us know.

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated throughout the United States on the fourth Thursday of November.  It is a day typically spent with family and friends and includes a large meal of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and various vegetables and desserts, the specifics dependent on where you live and your own family traditions.  Since the advent of television sports coverage, it has also become one of the biggest football-watching days of the year (perhaps in response to the triptophan-induced "turkey coma"?). 

The original Thanksgiving was a three-day harvest feast in the fall of 1621.  The Pilgrims (religious refugees from Europe and others who came with more mercenary motives) and the Native Americans danced, sang, played games and feasted.  After the first hard year in the Pilgrims' settlement, Plymouth Plantation, those who had survived the bitter winter had much to be grateful for, not least of which was the harvest that would enable them to make it through the next winter. 

As disciples, we should be the most thankful people around, not just that our basic needs for food, clothing and shelter are being met, but because we know that God forgives our sins, not only on Thanksgiving, but every day.

The History Of Thanksgiving:
http://www.appleseeds.org/thankgiv.htm
http://www.historychannel.com/thanksgiving/
http://www.theholidayzone.com/thanks/thankslinks.html

Thanksgiving Dinner Preparation Timeline:
http://family.go.com/recipes/family/checklist/dony119foo_liststhanks/

Thanksgiving Recipes:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/cooking101/youaskedforitturkey/  (turkey info)
http://www.epicurious.com
http://thanksgiving.allrecipes.com/default.asp
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/re-r1/1,6281,,00.html
http://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays/ho-g1/0,1948,,00.html

Thanksgiving Craft Ideas:
http://family.go.com/crafts/season/feature/famf117tabletop/

Games To Play At Your Thanksgiving Gathering:
http://family.go.com/parties/holiday/feature/famf118games/famf118games.html

Family Devotionals About Thanksgiving:
http://www.ucd.net/GV/Pacrim/US/HI/Hilo/Family/040602devo23yrs.htm

Studies on Gratitude & Thanksgiving:
http://www.ucd.net/home/2001/11/thanksgiving_2001.htm
http://www.ucd.net/GV/LA/AMS/2002/09/15/Gratitude_QT.htm
http://www.ucd.net/GV/NorFed/CA/Toronto/docs/footsteps/footsteps_day11.htm
http://www.ucd.net/GV/NorFed/CA/Toronto/docs/footsteps/footsteps_day26.htm
http://www.ucd.net/StudyTools/2001/04/01/qt_04_01_09.htm
http://www.ucd.net/StudyTools/2001/01/01/qt_01_03_01.htm
http://www.ucd.net/StudyTools/2002/04/qt_04_15_02.htm
http://www.ucd.net/Teens/2002/01/jan_2002_quiet_times/QT_07_2002__Gratitude_SM.htm

Dealing With Thanksgiving Weight Gain:
http://www.ucd.net/Singles/2000/12/22/holiday_fitness_1129.htm
http://www.weightwatchers.com
http://www.ediets.com