As we at California Family Council gather with our loved ones this Thanksgiving, we celebrate this uniquely American holiday with a profound spirit of gratitude and faith. Why? Because it reminds us that our mission at CFC is really protecting the legacy established by our forebears, who were profoundly grateful to God for the opportunity to worship freely, despite having to sacrifice their very lives to pass those liberties on to future generations.
The holiday’s spiritual foundations were firmly established in 1623 when Governor William Bradford of Plymouth Colony proclaimed a day of thanksgiving. His words resonate with the same spirit of gratitude that drives our mission today:
"Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest... and has protected us... has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience... do gather at ye meeting house... to render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings."
Despite losing nearly half their community during their first brutal winter in the New World, the Pilgrims chose to gather and thank God for His provision. Their commitment to religious freedom laid the groundwork for the Christian institutions that our team at CFC strives to protect and strengthen today.
This tradition of national gratitude and obedience to God was further cemented by President George Washington in 1789. His Thanksgiving proclamation speaks to the very heart of California Family Council’s work:
"It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor... Now, therefore, I do recommend next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be."
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”This scriptural mandate shapes our work at CFC, transforming our daily advocacy into an expression of gratitude for God’s faithfulness. As theologian John Stott powerfully reminds us:
"The true measure of our gratitude to God is not our words but our actions. What we are determines what we do, and thankfulness to God is the soil in which service to others grows."
We’re deeply thankful for the opportunity to advance God’s design for Life, Family, and Liberty throughout California. Our team gives thanks for the faithful supporters and partner organizations that stand alongside us in defending religious freedoms and promoting biblical values in our communities. Through our collective efforts, we ensure that the Christian principles our nation was founded upon continue to guide and protect future generations.
The enduring power of Thanksgiving lies in its reminder of shared gratitude while acknowledging life’s challenges. Like the Pilgrims who found reasons for thankfulness despite tremendous loss, California Family Council remains committed to protecting that legacy of faith and liberty during challenging times. This year, we are especially grateful for our supporters—faithful partners who help us stand firm in defending religious freedom and family values. Together, we carry forward the spirit of gratitude and faith that has defined this holiday since its very beginning.
Drawing inspiration from Psalm 95, we “come into his presence with thanksgiving” and make a “joyful noise” in celebration of God’s goodness. This Thanksgiving renews our commitment to gratitude, unity, and service as we continue our vital work of protecting religious freedoms and advancing God’s design for Life, Family, and Liberty throughout California.
