Thanksgiving in the Midst of a Divided Country

 

(Lisa Saunders beside the Mayflower II in Plymouth, Mass.)

Just when I was in the midst of grumbling about the work of Thanksgiving, I was inspired by a local history talk in November 2024 on why President Lincoln proclaimed a "Day of National Thanksgiving". He and Secretary of State of Seward wanted to encourage national unity in the midst of the Civil War. 

Before Lincoln was elected president, a speech of his became known for his paraphrasing of Jesus' comment when he said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand” (Matthew 12:25). It makes sense that Lincoln would sign the Thanksgiving proclamation written by Seward in 1863, which includes the following excerpt: "I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, …to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving... And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him …, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union." (For more on Lincoln, Seward and Thanksgiving, by Jeff Ludwig of Seward House, click on Facebook video.)

According to Psychology Today, there are "7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude", which were  summarized in the article's intro statements: "Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Writing in a gratitude journal improves sleep, according to one study." 

Since I'm always trying to get cytomegalovirus (CMV) laws passed to help protect unborn children from a leading cause of birth defects, I try to remember to be thankful for all our leaders -- so they will work together!  “I urge...that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (I Timothy 2:1-2).

If you've never had a chance to visit Plymouth, Massachusetts, the site of the first Thanksgiving, I highly recommend it. Despite half the 102 Mayflower passengers dying their first winter (1620-1621) in Plymouth over 400 years ago, it is estimated that 10 million people in the U.S. descend from a Mayflower passenger -- and most don't even know it! 

My Mayflower ancestor was Richard Warren, one of the half who survived the first winter (many died from scurvy). The Mayflower passengers disembarked too late in the year to build suitable homes and gather food. (Richard Warren’s wife, Elizabeth, and daughters were still in England and came over a few years later). When Richard passed away eight years after landing on “Plymouth Rock” in 1628, it was said of him that he “was a useful instrument; and during his life bore a deep share in the difficulties and troubles of the first settlement of the plantation of New Plymouth”(Pilgrim Hall Museum). I hope it's not said of me that I always complain about the work of a Thanksgiving meal!

For those who like history, the following are some details behind the first Thanksgiving: In March 1621, Massasoit, king or sachem of the Wampanoag Indians, visited Plymouth. Massasoit believed there would be value in having a thriving trade between the two peoples and he also wanted to secure the English as allies against the Narragansetts. That fall of 1621, the first Thanksgiving was celebrated. Richard Warren and the other Mayflower passengers feasted with the Wampanoag Indians to celebrate the colony's first successful harvest. Edward Winslow wrote to a friend: “Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others.”

This year, I am very thankful I don't  have to kill any deer and put on a big spread -- we are eating with family at Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles. Yea! I hope you also find things to be thankful for this holiday season! 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).  

Jesus, Hanukkah, and proposed national and NY legislation to combat antisemitism

 

Jesus, Hanukkah, and proposed national and NY legislation to combat antisemitism

I didn't realize until recently that Jesus participated in Hanukkah (in English: "Festival of Dedication"), until I noticed John 10:22-39 (more about that below my signature.) For a six-minute video on how six Jewish hostages in Gaza celebrated Hanukkah in a Hamas tunnel, watch "Hanukkah's TRUE Meaning: The Ancient Spirit of Evil is BACK" (Behold Israel with Amir Tsarfati). 

HOW DID THIS CURRENT ANTISEMITISM HAPPEN?

I always wondered how German citizens could get so brainwashed and violent against Jews in the 1930-40s. When I visited Germany with a Jewish friend in the early 1980s, the elderly couple who welcomed us in their home kept apologizing to my friend about the Holocaust, saying they weren't aware of what was happening to the Jews. Whether or not their ignorance at the time was true, they  had been suffering devastating guilt for decades.

One way the Nazis promoted Jew hatred was to remove the Jewishness of the Bible: "Rejecting Christianity outright, the Nazis changed the Bible to fit their ends. First, Jesus was rebranded as Aryan...Nazi-era Bibles removed chunks of the Old Testament and edited the Gospels to eliminate references to Jesus’ Jewish heritage, his missional prioritisation of the Israelites, and his fulfilment of Hebrew scripture" (The Good Report).  

I wonder if the Nazis removed this comment by Jesus to the Samaritan woman in their Nazi-era Bibles: “we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.” (John 4:22). I wonder if the Nazis also removed how Gentiles are to view the Jews, made clear when Apostle Paul told them, “What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew… Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God” (Romans 3:1–2). I'm guessing the Nazis spread the old lie that the Jews killed Jesus, but hopefully most know that Jesus said, "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:17-18). 

Ever since the Hamas invasion of Israel on Oct 7, 2023, I've seen antisemitism firsthand in the U.S. The day after the invasion,  I felt afraid in my own apartment complex while some of our neighbors loudly celebrated the massacre. I thought of King David's writings that urged me to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure'"(Psalm 122:6). Afterall, the Lord had said to Abraham about his nation: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:2-3). 

Regarding this resurgence in antisemitism, Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, had said, "Reckless and irresponsible reporting by major U.S. news outlets are contributing to the antisemitic climate that has resulted in the murder of two young people at an Israeli Embassy event in Washington last month and the attempted murder and terror attack on a group of pro-Israel demonstrators in Colorado on Sunday. Without verification of any source other than Hamas and its collaborators...[Hamas] continues to terrorize and intimidate..." (Statement on Media Misinformation on Gaza, June 2025). 

Apostle Paul told Gentiles they are to help the Jews: 

"For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings” (Romans 15:27). Other than donating to some Jewish causes, the only thing I know to do is to ask my political leaders to support the following legislation:

National: Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025 (S558/ HR1007). It is "To provide for the consideration of a definition of antisemitism set forth by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for the enforcement of Federal antidiscrimination laws concerning education programs or activities, and for other purposes." To support this bill, click into it, and look to the right of the page where you will see "Give Feedback on This Bill." Click on Contact Your Member.

New York Residents: There are three antisemitic bills that I know of. You can click on, "Do you support this bill?") on all three:

1. Senate Bill S6842: Relates to protections against anti-Semitism in the human rights law and the hate crimes statute
2. Senate Bill S7034A: Enacts the "Honoring Our Pledge to Eliminate Antisemitism (HOPE) act 
3. Senate Bill S531: Enacts the New York state antisemitism vandalism  

Because of the days we appear to be living in,  I've been reviewing Bible end-time prophecies, such as:  

“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’”(Matthew 24:3) Jesus said, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places...Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world…and then the end will come”  (Matthew 24:7-14).

Are we experience sings of the "end of the age"? 

When Israel became a nation again on May 14, 1948, I believe it kicked off the end of the end times: “Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day?...For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children (Isaiah 66:8). "’I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them...they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them,’ says the Lord your God" (Amos 9:14-15). 

Yet, nations will continue to attack Israel: “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” (Zechariah 12:3).

A Jewish podcaster about Israel shares why he believes current events indicate the end times: "NOW! Israel Is Ushering In The Messianic Era!!! (End Times Prophecy)" (J-TV: The Global Jewish Channel).

Below my signature are links for further study on Israel and Hanukkah.

Sincerely, 

Lisa Saunders

New York

About Jesus and Hanukkah: 

Apparently, the Catholic Bible and Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) include the Books of Maccabees, named after the family who led a revolt of Jewish rebels against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in 165 BC. Their victory allowed the Jews to reclaim their Temple in Jerusalem and light the Menorah in an eight-day Festival of Dedication. (According to the video, "The True Story of Hanukkah", assuming it's accurate, the story of the one-day supply of oil keeping the Menorah miraculously lit for eight days was an oral tradition written down hundreds of years later in the Talmud, the second most important Jewish text after the Hebrew Bible.)

Anyway, the New Testament says that Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah). While the Gospel of John does not explicitly state that Jesus "celebrated" Hanukkah, it suggests that he was involved with its significance by visiting the Temple. John 10:22-39 states: "Then the Festival-of-Dedication[a] took place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. Then the Jews surrounded Him. And they were saying to Him, “How long are You keeping us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us with plainness”.  Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works which I am doing in the name of My Father— these are testifying about Me. However, you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice. And I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, ever. And someone will not snatch them out of My hand. What My Father has given to Me is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of the hand of the Father. I and the Father are one[d]”.

Ever since Oct 7th, I've felt like I'm living in conditions similar to Nazi Germany -- except now, instead of the propaganda proclaiming Jesus was not Jewish, but Aryan, a Times Square billboard recently advertised, "Jesus is a Palestinian" (Forward,  Dec. 26, 2025). 

More on Israel: 

• UNDERNEATH the Real Location of the Second Temple, What We Found Is ASTONISHING (Yishai Fleisher). 
• Son of Hamas Goes to Hebron (Yishai Fleisher). 
• If  interested in how Israel is featured in end time prophecies, I suggest watching, "Amir Tsarfati: What's Next for Israel?" 
• If interested in Jesus and the Old Testament, I suggest "Amir Tsarfati: Jesus in the Old Testament" or reading the transcript. 
•  Whose Land Is It? Jewish Claims Explained (The 700 Club, CBN, 2023)
• The Israel-Hamas War: Frequently Asked Questions (The Washington Institute)
•  "NOW! Israel Is Ushering In The Messianic Era!!! (End Times Prophecy)" (J-TV: The Global Jewish Channel).
•  "The True Story of Hanukkah: The Secret History You Were Never Taught" (Holiday History). 

NOTE:

Some friends have asked me how to get a law passed about their particular cause, so I created the PowerPoint, "How to Get a Law Passed – even if you're not thin and famous!" You are welcome to click through the slides in case you find it helpful. I have also called and/or written by legislators about the following topics in case you are looking for a cause to tackle:

• Jesus, Hanukkah, and proposed national and NY legislation to combat antisemitism
• A parent’s “coercive control” in child custody cases: Could Ava's death have been prevented? 
• Legislators: Reduce Fetal Pain During Procedures (abortion)
• Legislators in 2026: Support two NY CMV bills PLUS national Stop CMV Act

What is the Gospel and how was it shared to gentiles and Jews

What is Gospel?

Acts 10: 39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Acts 2: 22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[a] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
...38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 4:30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 

John 3:16-21: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Colossians 2:13-15: 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[a] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.[b]

Why don't today's Jews don't believe Jesus was the Messiah who came to provide forgiveness, and will come again in power?

Jews don't believe Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophets, so I listen to Jewish Youtubers to find out why. These  religious Jews are trying to show the world that Jews and Israel are recipients of God's everlasting covenant--that they are a part of God's plan and should not be persecuted and/or annihilated. 

This young Jewish man, Ollie Anisfeld, Director, Founder, of  https://www.j-tvchannel.com/about, shares why he doesn't believe Jesus is the Messiah. On his Youtube channel, "J-TV: The Global Jewish Channel," in his segment, "Jerusalem Church DENOUNCES Christian Zionism, Mike Huckabee Gives BRILLIANT Response!", a transcript of his broadcast reads: "Deuteronomy 13 verse 1:5, it says, and this is something really I think not discussed enough. says even if a prophet gives signs and says let us follow other gods there's a prophet a dream or a dreamer of a dream that performs miracles and says let us follow other gods now because he's performed these miracles you shall not listen to that prophet for the Lord your God is testing you Deuteronomy 4:2 you shall not add to the word to the Torah nor subtract from it Deuteronomy 12 everything I command you you shall be careful to do you shall not add or subtract back to it."

I looked up: Deuteronomy 13: 1-5 to see what he is speaking about: "If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.""

In response to that, I am trying to understand Matthew 5: 17 , where Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

Christian believer, Nate Buzz, an Australian actor, has done a lot to bridge the gap between Jews and Christians. I enjoyed this interview: "Christian Zionist Exposes Tucker Carlson - He Lied About Israel Every Single Day! | Nate Buzz" (Youtube channel: Yishai Fleisher)

Donna Anderson, EnCORE Fitness & Wellness, tells how to prevent or delay...

Lisa Saunders interviews Tish Rabe, author of Dr. Seuss science books

Searching for God? Deacon Publishes Book in English and Spanish

 

SEARCHING FOR GOD IN US AND IN THE WORLD: 

THOUGHTS ON THE FORCES THAT SHAPE OUR LIFE

 

Book now available in English as well as Spanish 

 

Oakdale, Conn.-- Retired State of Connecticut social worker, Jesús A. Diez Canseco, a deacon at the Catholic Diocese of Norwich, shares his thoughts on God, democracy, social justice, sexuality, art, education, abortion and several other topics, in his recently revised book, “SEARCHING FOR GOD IN US AND IN THE WORLD: THOUGHTS ON THE FORCES THAT SHAPE OUR LIFE,” which is also available in Spanish.

 

Diez Canseco said, "It is our vocation to search for God. There are many attributes that make us truly human. And the most valuable of them is our power to create, in as much as we, ourselves, are creations of God the Creator. Every thought presented in this book has been written keeping in mind the value of human life, the goodness of our human nature, and our universal desire for a happy and rewarding life. Emphasis has been placed on positive thinking so that each thought presented may contribute to the enrichment of our life and the enhancement of our relationships with our fellow humans and with God."

 

Readers will find several statements by Diez Canseco by clicking on the “LOOK INSIDE” feature on Amazon. Other excerpts include:

 

THE LANGUAGE OF GOD

If you are fluent in the language of peace, you will have no problem communicating with God.

 

HOW TO BEGIN

Any person who wants to fully know his human nature must begin by loving his neighbor.

 

MONEY AND GREED

Without greed, money is just a means to facilitate economic transactions; but when greed makes its way into money, it makes those who have money believe they can buy those who are short on greed.

 

MEMBER OF A COMMUNITY

Since the moment of his conception, the child is an active member of a community—the community he establishes with his mother.

Originally from Peru, Jesús A. Diez Canseco has been a U.S. citizen for more than 20 years. He obtained professional degrees in journalism, education and law from the National University of Trujillo, Peru, and received a Master’s degree in education from the University of Connecticut in 1974. He worked as a social worker for the State of Connecticut for 26 years, retiring in 2003. Since 1981, he has been an ordained permanent deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Norwich. To this day, he preaches at religious services and writes on issues of peace, social justice and his conviction on the value of human life. He lives in Oakdale, Connecticut, with his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

 

To purchase an autographed copy of “SEARCHING FOR GOD IN US AND IN THE WORLD” or to invite Jesús A. Diez Canseco to speak to your group, contact Diez Canseco directly at: jdiezcanseco@sbcglobal.net. To learn more about his work, visit: www.homiliesforjustice.com. The book may also be purchased through Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. 

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Jesús A. Diez Canseco in his Oakdale, Connecticut, home office.

Photograph taken April 2015 by Karen Diez Canseco.