To the editor:

Some reflections as we move beyond midterm elections and Thanksgiving Day:

It’s been nearly 400 years since the pilgrims’ landing in December 1820 in the New World, which took three months for that ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean, half the people dying. One would think, in spite of numerous problems common to everyone, that “we the people” would reflect gratitude for the many benefits the source of all goodness has afforded us.

On Oct. 3, 1799, George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation, exhorting citizens to acknowledge God’s providence, obey his will, be grateful, and humbly implore his protection and favor. He further urged us to be apologetic and regretful when we fail to count God’s blessings and live up to them.

The fourth Thursday in November used to be set aside for fasting and prayer but for decades this holiday has been reduced to gluttony, parades and football. Could America’s problem be affluence?

Ancient history records that Rome was the greatest ever empire but decadence brought it to ruin. Also, in the first century, Paul said Rome stopped believing in monotheism, “neither were they thankful.” (Romans 1:21-28) Civic gratitude is our nation’s most necessary virtue. 

As Americans, let’s help illegal aliens to get back home and work with them to fix the corruption and systemic problems (socialism) in their home countries. Let’s invite immigrants to come here legally who are committed to values of freedom, liberty, and the rule of law. Those immigrants from Latin America who are here, let’s share the Gospel with them. Chick Publications prints many different comic book tracts in Spanish.

And we U.S. citizens need to return to our origin, i.e., made in the image of God on Day 6 of creation. (Genesis 1:26-31) More important is the fact that humans, unlike animals, have an eternal, immortal spirit. “They that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)