pilgrim people

From the Federal Visionists, that is. But what else is new? Jason explains (with his trademark humor).

Four sermons in December on the coming and Incarnation of Christ? What gives? Here's an answer.

Thanksgiving is a civic holiday in America that nowadays is mainly about family, food, football, and fun. There is certainly nothing wrong with those good gifts of God: all four express his  kindness (though I might qualify “football” as it is more commonly known throughout the world: soccer!). Historically, though, Americans observe the Thanksgiving holiday because of the experience of those original pilgrims who came to the New World and offered thanks to God for his mercies amid the most trying of circumstances. 

In 1620, the Mayflower made its long and dangerous journey from Southampton, England to Plymouth, Massachusetts, carrying 102 Protestant passengers of Nonconformist and Separatist convictions. Arriving in November, they spent their first winter in what one Puritan was later to describe as “a howling wilderness.” William Bradford, the pilgrims’ leader, kept a journal in which he recorded this about that first winter: 

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Just today I was introduced to this excellent hymn by the eighteenth century English Nonconformist Isaac Watts. Although it is not in the blue Psalter-Hymnal nor the red Trinity Hymnal, I am amazed I have never heard it before. We will sing it this Sunday evening (HT: CURC intern Chris Stevens, aka "Redpooba").

The Law commands and makes us know

What duties to our God we owe;

But ’tis the Gospel must reveal

Where lies our strength to do His will.

The Law discovers guilt and sin

And shows how vile our hearts have been;

The Gospel only can express

Forgiving love and cleansing grace.

What curses doth the Law denounce

Against the man that fails but once!

But in the Gospel Christ appears,

Pard’ning the guilt of numerous years.

My soul, no more attempt to draw

Thy life and comfort from the Law.

Fly to the hope the Gospel gives;

The man that trusts the promise lives.

Mike talks about why our churches and lives need to be Gospel-driven.  Read it here.