The first Thanksgiving

No, I don't mean the meal shared between the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims.

In a nation torn by civil war, President Abraham Lincoln, persuaded by noted literary figure Sarah J. Hale, called on Americans to gather together to offer thanks. He and Ms. Hale saw this as a way to bring a divided nation together, by creating a national holiday which everyone would celebrate.

We, today, gather again this year riven by politics. Are we as divided as we were in 1863? Well, if you listen to the cable pundits, civil war is around the corner.

But we're a much different country than in the time of the Civil War. We've had 150 years of progress—stuttering, halting progress, but progress nonetheless. Those who chafe at that progress are a minority; most Americans favor the advances we've made politically and socially.

As we gather, remember that what unites us is much more powerful than what divides us. Remember that those who seek to refashion the Union into some sort of Gilead are a minority—a dangerous one, but not one with the power to effect their wishes. If they had that power, we'd all be in camps right now.

America is that nation which eventually does the right thing, after trying everything else first. Some among the evangelical supporters of Donald Trump aver that God uses imperfect people to serve his purposes. Of course, they say that Trump is God's imperfect vessel to create their vision of a theocratic state. I, however, will turn that on its head. For the religious among you, God is using Trump to remind Americans of liberty's preciousness. It can't be taken for granted, it can't be preserved unless we all strive to do so. Trump is a cautionary tale, to remind us that a Republic can be easily lost through inattention and apathy.

Bless you all, and may the festive season bring you joy and light.