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The Thanksgiving Ceremony: New Traditions for America's Family Feast
When we think about Thanksgiving we contemplate history, the autumn harvest, and, of course, eating turkey and watching football. But most of all, we think about family, friends, and the bounty of our country. Edward Bleier’s The Thanksgiving Ceremony introduces a brand-new tradition for the Thanksgiving table, offering a wonderful way for all Americans to give thanks and rejoice in the sense of togetherness and community this special holiday brings.
The heart of the book is a participatory ceremony designed to be read aloud around the table. It recounts the story of the early settlers and the challenges they, and all subsequent immigrant generations, faced. The ceremony provides roles for guests of all ages and takes about twenty minutes.
There is also a brief history of Thanksgiving, as well as a wide array of poems, hymns, songs, prayers, and readings that enable families to create and customize their own ceremony, including pieces by Maya Angelou, Irving Berlin, Woodie Guthrie, and Emily Dickinson.
As William Safire writes in his foreword, “Getting together for a grand dinner party may be glorious fun, but a holiday should have a focus”—one that reminds us why we celebrate it. This long-overdue book offers that focus in a short, elegant format that any gathering of family and friends can participate in, and enjoy, for many years to come.
Praise for The Thanksgiving
"The Thanksgiving Ceremony is a small gem—a book that brings to life the history, songs, and traditions, old and new, of the most widely celebrated holiday of the year. This is a buoyant book, full of hope and praise of all that makes us Americans."—Julie Nixon Eisenhower
"There are times, like these, when it's important to count our blessings. Ed Bleier's delightful book lets us do the math."—Alan Alda and Arlene Alda
"This great country has provided the 'music' and this book provides the eloquent 'lyrics' for the Thanksgiving tables of all Americans, regardless of race or religion. It's a joyous tribute to who we are, and can be, as Americans."—Quincy Jones
"Over the years, I've had so many Thanksgiving dinners with Ed and Magda that when Ed Bleier talks turkey, all of us listen."—Steven Spielberg
" The Thanksgiving Ceremony is a wonderful and moving idea. It is central to what we celebrate and a happy reminder of why America's principles endure as they do."—Peter Jennings and Kayce Freed
The heart of the book is a participatory ceremony designed to be read aloud around the table. It recounts the story of the early settlers and the challenges they, and all subsequent immigrant generations, faced. The ceremony provides roles for guests of all ages and takes about twenty minutes.
There is also a brief history of Thanksgiving, as well as a wide array of poems, hymns, songs, prayers, and readings that enable families to create and customize their own ceremony, including pieces by Maya Angelou, Irving Berlin, Woodie Guthrie, and Emily Dickinson.
As William Safire writes in his foreword, “Getting together for a grand dinner party may be glorious fun, but a holiday should have a focus”—one that reminds us why we celebrate it. This long-overdue book offers that focus in a short, elegant format that any gathering of family and friends can participate in, and enjoy, for many years to come.
Praise for The Thanksgiving
"The Thanksgiving Ceremony is a small gem—a book that brings to life the history, songs, and traditions, old and new, of the most widely celebrated holiday of the year. This is a buoyant book, full of hope and praise of all that makes us Americans."—Julie Nixon Eisenhower
"There are times, like these, when it's important to count our blessings. Ed Bleier's delightful book lets us do the math."—Alan Alda and Arlene Alda
"This great country has provided the 'music' and this book provides the eloquent 'lyrics' for the Thanksgiving tables of all Americans, regardless of race or religion. It's a joyous tribute to who we are, and can be, as Americans."—Quincy Jones
"Over the years, I've had so many Thanksgiving dinners with Ed and Magda that when Ed Bleier talks turkey, all of us listen."—Steven Spielberg
" The Thanksgiving Ceremony is a wonderful and moving idea. It is central to what we celebrate and a happy reminder of why America's principles endure as they do."—Peter Jennings and Kayce Freed
- GenresNonfictionHoliday
128 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2003
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 12, 2018
I saw this on display at the library and grabbed it since I like holiday reads. I know I’m probably not the intended audience as Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday. 46 million turkeys are slaughtered for us to give “thanks” every year and the story of the pilgrims and Native Americans is a dubious one that is often misrepresented m. I enjoy learning about the history of the holiday, but the author glosses over some important facts. I know he mentions that the pilgrims might have been jerks, but they definitely were. Believe, they were brave people but they also took an ill prepared trip resulting in lots of deaths than played nice with Native Americans until they got what they want. They then tried to convert some of the “savages” and stabbed and killed some while being invited to their house and put their heads on spikes outside of Plimoth (yes, that’s how they originally spelled it) Plantation. Many were unforgiving religious zealots (its our way or death or banishment) and he doesn’t discuss the difference between pilgrims and puritans. I just thought the history section was lacking and somewhat misrepresented. Otherwise, I think the statements, poems, songs, etc. aren’t bad to add to your holiday festivity. They get to what should be the meaning of the holiday and he has included things for any religious background or non religious background.
Just as an aside, I’ve always loved some of the pilgrims’ first names: Remember, Love, Oceanis, Humility, Damaris, Desire, Degory, Resolved, and Peregrine.
Just as an aside, I’ve always loved some of the pilgrims’ first names: Remember, Love, Oceanis, Humility, Damaris, Desire, Degory, Resolved, and Peregrine.
November 12, 2021
I read this book to see if the Thanksgiving Ceremony would be a new tradition for our family. All in all, it was an interesting read. The portion on the history of Thanksgiving is brief and very informative. The quotes and hymns for the season were also a nice read and many were reflections from my youth. I didn't find the actual ceremony part something that I could fully incorporate into my family's celebration. It is more of a responsive reading from church that touched on a great many topics. I prefer a much more simple reflection. It was still an interesting read to put you in the holiday spirit.
November 7, 2011
I saw this book on display at my local library and I was so excited to see a Thanksgiving book that wasn't a cook book. Thanksgiving is always so overshadowed by Christmas, and it's just too bad.
This is a very short read. In the first part of the book, the author gives a historical account of everything we learned in grade school about the Mayflower, Plymouth, Squanto, the first winter, the first harvest and the first Thanksgiving.
The rest of the book is the author's "Thanksgiving Ceremony", basically a 20-30 minute 'program' that his family does every year while sitting at the dinner table just before eating the meal. In the ceremony, the book is to be passed around the table and each person reads different narrations, mainly the history of the first Thanksgiving and then naming the many blessings and freedoms we have being Americans. There are also lyrics to several patriotic songs like "America, the Beautiful".
My family already has a tradition of going around the table and everyone saying a few things they are grateful for, so I don't think we would actually do this ceremony, but it was still nice to read about another family's tradition. I think we may incorporate more about the history of Thanksgiving this year and I would also like to sing some patriotic songs - great idea!
This is a very short read. In the first part of the book, the author gives a historical account of everything we learned in grade school about the Mayflower, Plymouth, Squanto, the first winter, the first harvest and the first Thanksgiving.
The rest of the book is the author's "Thanksgiving Ceremony", basically a 20-30 minute 'program' that his family does every year while sitting at the dinner table just before eating the meal. In the ceremony, the book is to be passed around the table and each person reads different narrations, mainly the history of the first Thanksgiving and then naming the many blessings and freedoms we have being Americans. There are also lyrics to several patriotic songs like "America, the Beautiful".
My family already has a tradition of going around the table and everyone saying a few things they are grateful for, so I don't think we would actually do this ceremony, but it was still nice to read about another family's tradition. I think we may incorporate more about the history of Thanksgiving this year and I would also like to sing some patriotic songs - great idea!
November 24, 2015
The Thanksgiving Ceremony is a series of reflective sayings and rituals the family does together around the table before the feast. It's a great idea to promote unity in the family and in our diverse culture. The sayings do promote a thankful heart, patriotism, and a sense of family. I also like the additional poems, songs, and quotes Bleier provides to add to the ceremony.
I am rating this four stars because I don't feel like all of the ceremony is necessary nor are all of the additional material relevant or great enough to include in the ceremony. Bleier does say you can add your own material and adjust the ceremony to suit your purposes. However, I learned some things from the book. I had rented it from the library and want to buy my own copy.
I am rating this four stars because I don't feel like all of the ceremony is necessary nor are all of the additional material relevant or great enough to include in the ceremony. Bleier does say you can add your own material and adjust the ceremony to suit your purposes. However, I learned some things from the book. I had rented it from the library and want to buy my own copy.
December 20, 2013
Was given this book by a friend, and Thanksgiving 2013 my family used it in a Thanksgiving ceremony around the meal. What a wonderfully conceived and organized book that is ultimately useful for bringing families together for ritual as well as meal. Tells story of Thanksgiving going back to roots of the celebration and expands knowledge beyond the United States traditions to other countries that have Thanksgiving ceremonies.
November 21, 2015
I've had this book many years, bringing it out at Thanksgiving as a decoration, and I am just now reading it. This was a very quick read. Nice to get me in the Thanksgiving mood. The author suggests a reading that all the guests could participate in prior to eating the meal on Thanksgiving. I know very few families who would go along with this event - very formal and a bit stilted.
November 26, 2011
Very thoughtfully done compilation of Thanksgiving history and ideas for adding ceremony to the meal. I particularly enjoyed the section of poems, prayers, songs, and quotations related to gratitude and thankfulness.
February 4, 2012
The books basically contains a liturgy for a family thanksgiving meal. The ritual or liturgy is structure in a way in a way that would make it acceptable to a wide audience. Me Personally would prefer one focus on the Christian idea of Thanksgiving
November 30, 2014
This is a great, little book. It's full of interesting facts and reflections about Thanksgiving. While I don't think I would do the whole "ceremony" at my next Thanksgiving dinner, there are many suggestions that could be incorporated to bring the meaning of Thanksgiving back in to focus!
November 4, 2008
A lovely blend of history and inspiration for setting family Thanksgiving traditions.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews