This undated illustration depicts President Abraham Lincoln making his Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery on the battlefield at Gettysburg, Pa., Nov. 19, 1863. (AP Photo)
We have this trinity of holy civic documents underlying our collective life together in America: the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and the Gettysburg Address.
We have the Fourth of July as our high-holy civic Christmas commemorating the birth of our republic through the Declaration. Lincolns Gettysburg Address makes sure July 4 will be forever intertwined with Thanksgiving, which essentially is our civic Easter for its role in the resurrection of freedom for all Americans.
Thanksgiving should be celebrated more as a memorial and covenant to the born again America that Lincoln talked about at Gettysburg than solely being remembered for Squantos kindness towards the Puritans.
American history can be divided metaphorically into the Old Testament life when slavery was allowed under the Constitution and the New Testament under the amended Constitution after slavery had been defeated. It was at Gettysburg 158 years ago that Lincoln announced the philosophical and spiritual Good News for what America was going to become after the horrendous conflict was over.
Author Gabor Boritt wrote The Gettysburg Gospel to explore the profound religious undertones and themes easily recognizable to 19th century Americans, which Lincoln adroitly deployed in his understated, yet immaculate Gettysburg Address.
He gave his address on Nov. 19, one week before the first national day of Thanksgiving while suffering from variola, a mild form of smallpox. Two months earlier, he had declared the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens for the Union victory at Gettysburg.
Lincoln was routinely derided as a hick from the Illinois sticks for his lack of formal education and awkward appearance and gait. But he knew exactly what he was doing when he delivered his 271-word speech around 3 p.m. on a clear crisp late autumn afternoon at the new Soldiers National Cemetery on the Gettysburg battlefield, still-bloodstained four months after the previous July 4 weekend battle.
Lincoln used every literary tool in his arsenal of memorized quotations, themes and rhythms from the King James Bible; every Shakespearean play and Pericles Funeral Oration to paint a sublime portrait of the new Born-Again America to come.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Fourscore and seven was a familiar reference from Psalms 90. Brought forth, conceived and shall not perish in the closing line evoked biblical images of physical and spiritual birth, death and eternal life.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate we can not consecrate we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.
The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.
Lincoln wanted the American people to look beyond the horrors of war and recognize the unfinished work they would have to accomplish together as free people, both North and South, white and black alike, in order to form a more perfect Union with malice toward none, with charity for all.
Lincoln knew about an 1858 lecture by transcendental abolitionist minister Theodore Parker of Massachusetts, who wrote: Democracy is direct self-government, over all the people, for all the people, by all the people.
In Lincolns word construction, Parkers observations became the closing line of one of the most powerful speeches in human history.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Give thanks this Thanksgiving for the blessings of the rebirth of freedom in 1863. Pray for a new rebirth today. Amen.
Originally posted here:
HILL: The Gettysburg Gospel, Thanksgiving and the rebirth of freedom - North State Journal
- Free Download MP3 Album Sublime - Sublime To Freedom [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2010]
- Braveheart In Defiance Of The English Tyranny! BRAVO [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2011]
- rage against the machine - freedom [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2011]
- Richie Havens, Freedom, (Woodstock) [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2011]
- Dodge Challenger Freedom Commercial [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Twelve Girls Band - Freedom [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Akon "Freedom" 2009 [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2011]
- Paul McCartney - Freedom (Nobel Peace Prize '2001) [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Jimi Hendrix- Freedom [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2011]
- Braveheart freedom speech -- Matt [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2011]
- freedom 101 [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2011]
- Dj Andi and Stella-Freedom(Summer Hit)+lyrics [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2011]
- Braveheart Freedom Short [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2011]
- LOVE PSYCHEDELICO - Freedom, featuring Christopher Yates [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2011]
- Alice Cooper - Freedom [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2011]
- "Freedom Rallies" Honored in Williamston — North Carolina Public Radio WUNC [Last Updated On: July 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 11th, 2011]
- Looking For Freedom - David Hasselhoff [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2011]
- Braveheart - FREEDOM scene [Last Updated On: July 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2011]
- Amanda Knox: 'Another Day Closer to Freedom' [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2011]
- Sugababes - Freedom [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2011]
- Freedom River [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Wham! - Freedom [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Sistars - Freedom [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2011]
- All Stars - Freedom (Theme from Panther) [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Richie Havens Sings "Freedom" [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- Nokia N8 Pink - Freedom [Last Updated On: October 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2011]
- Wham! - Freedom with Lyrics [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2011]
- Make Mine Freedom (1948) - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- Jason Upton - Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- Devo - Freedom Of Choice (Video) - Video [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2011]
- Michael McDonald - Sweet Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- DJ BOBO - FREEDOM 1995 - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- George Michael FREEDOM '90 - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Episode One: Economic Freedom [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- FFVII Crisis Core Soundtrack: The Price of Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Alain Clark - For Freedom (Official Video) - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Bob Sinclar [Last Updated On: October 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2011]
- For Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2011]
- Braveheart Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2011]
- Wyclef Jean - "Freedom" (Song For Egypt) - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2011]
- Land And Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2011]
- Dan Balan - Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2011]
- Paul McCartney-Freedom+Let It Be@Concert For New York City - Video [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2011]
- New Life Worship - It Was For Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: November 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2011]
- Laboratory pups get first taste of freedom in US. - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- Jackson Browne Performs "I Am A Patriot" at Freedom Plaza (12.05.2012) HD - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- Give-Me-Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2011]
- Jesus Culture - Freedom Reigns - Video [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2011]
- rage against the machine - Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2011]
- Doug Stanhope on Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2011]
- The Beautiful Girls - Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2011]
- Michael Heart - "Freedom" - EXCLUSIVE OFFICIAL VIDEO - Video [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2011]
- Wham! - Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: December 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 31st, 2011]
- Richie Havens 1969 Woodstock - Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: January 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 1st, 2012]
- Freedom ! - Video [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2012]
- Elton John- Philadelphia Freedom - Video [Last Updated On: January 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- [M/V] ITAEWON FREEDOM (with JY Park) - Video [Last Updated On: January 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 12th, 2012]
- Pharoah Sanders "You Got To Have Freedom" (1980) - Video [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2012]
- Freedom Environmental Services, Inc. Signs Service Contracts With 14 Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q Franchisees [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2012]
- Pope's peace doves slow to taste freedom [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2012]
- Why is Feb. 1 designated as National Freedom Day? [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2012]
- Marcia G. Yerman: 'Chimes of Freedom' Celebrates the Power of Music and Activism [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2012]
- Complaints boss urges UK press freedom [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2012]
- New Freedom museum opens Saturday [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2012]
- Underground Railroad Freedom Center battling tough times [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2012]
- Freedom High School boys basketball team beats Easton Area High School [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2012]
- Warship Freedom again breaks down at sea [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2012]
- Freedom gymnasts set school record, win Cedar Run title [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2012]
- Freedom tops FVL, takes hold of EVC [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2012]
- Freedom claims SMAC wrestling tourney title [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2012]
- Freedom Week In Bradley County [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Freedom Total Knee(R) System Receives Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Award for "Product Differentiation Excellence ... [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Covert to Overt: 'Revolt how-to' earns big for US freedom factory - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Ron Paul Interview On Freedom Watch 01/30/12 - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Tortured Freedom: Libya's new rulers resort to old tactics - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- End the TSA for Freedom and Human Dignity - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Were Run by Ruthless, Freedom Hating, Dangerous Scum! 3/3 - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Were Run by Ruthless, Freedom Hating, Dangerous Scum! 1/3 - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Defend our freedom to share (or why SOPA is a bad idea) - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Biden on Internet Freedom Anti SOPA - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]