MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—“THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
Yesterday, I wrote a “6-Word Story”—
“Weaving Cultures Around the Thanksgiving Table.”
Here’s the full story . . .
I never realized that the first Thanksgiving dinner was an authentic “international” gathering.
This thought had never occurred to me until we shared the story with some international friends at our “Oasis of Cultures” Thanksgiving dinner in Pennsylvania.
As I shared the account of the British settlers and the Native-American Indians, I looked around at the beautiful faces of people from all over the world who had come together that evening to celebrate this traditional American holiday with me. People from Venezuela, Norway, Mexico, France, Columbia, USA, Guatemala . . . stood in the kitchen together, joining hands, and thanking God for His many blessings and His goodness.
The First International Thanksgiving
The version of the historical account that I had found on the Internet described the first Thanksgiving meal in a new way. It shed “global” light on this social festivity between two people groups of very different cultures, backgrounds, races, languages, and religions.
Rather than just listing turkey and vegetables as the main food items that adorned that first Thanksgiving table—and most traditional Thanksgiving tables ever since—this account named oysters, lobster, clams, fish, etc. as menu items on that special day.
Looking at the beautiful buffet displayed before us that evening in Pennsylvania, we could see Mexican tamales, Grandma Esther’s Creamed Corn Casserole, Bulgarian stew, Norwegian Fiskegrateng (fish/pasta casserole), Venezuelan Yuca Frita con Guasacaca (salsa verde), apple crisp, Mexican chorizo tacos . . .
A true international feast awaited us!
Upon reading the story of the first Thanksgiving, it suddenly occurred to me that both people groups—the British settlers and the Native-American Indians—would have most likely brought food to the table that day. Hunters, gardeners, and fishermen must have proudly brought their catch and their harvest to the feast . . . pleased to contribute a part of their culture and heritage with the larger international community.
Breaking Down Barriers—”Weaving Cultures”
That first international community on the coast of New England many, many years ago was willing to break down the barriers of language, race, culture, religion, etc. They were willing to bridge their worlds and their cultures that day and to sit down at the same table, breaking bread together, and enjoying each other’s company.
It sounds to me like they were “Weaving Cultures!
I do wonder if they shared stories of their countries and cultures with each other around the table that day.
How did they communicate with each other? Had they learned bits and pieces of each other’s languages as they worked side by side in the fields, tilling the soil, and gathering the harvest?
Did they eat with their hands or eat with utensils? Were they learning to “see beyond” and appreciate each other’s differences or were they critical of the different ways they did things and their different ways of thinking?
First Thanksgiving—Cultural Awareness?
Were their eyes open to the world around them? Did they have cultural awareness and understanding?
Were they willing to learn from each other and to expand their horizons? Did they cultivate cultural learning? Were they “Cultural Learners”?
Did they share their different faiths with each other during the meal— respecting each other’s different beliefs and trying to dialogue in peace together . . . perhaps learning something new?
Did their children play joyfully in the fields together, oblivious of any language and cultural barriers that could divide them?
In any case, that day, these two very diverse people groups put aside their cultural differences and gathered together in unity. “Community” was more important than their differences of religion, language, and race. God brought them together to the table. Thanking God together was what united them that day.
“Oasis of Cultures” Celebrates Thanksgiving
Last year, during our “Oasis of Cultures” International Thanksgiving Dinner in Pennsylvania, the sense of community around that table was strong and beautiful. Perhaps it was a similar atmosphere to that first Thanksgiving meal shared between the British settlers and the Native-American Indians.
As we gathered together in one of our homes to celebrate this special Thanksgiving holiday, many of these “internationals” had never celebrated this American holiday—although most had heard of it.
We were thrilled to be together. I was separated from my own family—scattered faraway—during this holiday season, and my new “global friends” didn’t have any of their own friends and families nearby. This was the perfect occasion for us to come together and create a “family community” together.
I could share my American holiday and tradition with them, and they could fill my heart’s void of “family.” They could also share delicious dishes from their homeland with me, which delighted every part of my being . . . especially my stomach. 🙂
Before we began the feast, I told them the story of Thanksgiving. I, then, shared with them our family’s Thanksgiving tradition of going around the “circle” to thank God for something. One by one, we each expressed that we were thankful to God for each other and our new “international family.” Thank you, God!
—THE CULTURAL STORY-WEAVER
MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—“THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
LET’S WEAVE CULTURES!
What about you? Who could you invite to your home to include in your family’s Thanksgiving celebration? Are there any “internationals” in your area who might be separated from their family and friends—alone for the holidays? How could you reach out to them?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures”! Write about them in the comment box below.
