Thanksgiving is not primarily about turkey, football, or even family. It's primarily about giving thanks to God.
Two outstanding examples in American history show the way. In October 1621, after a winter when they had seen half their people die of starvation and disease, the Pilgrims gave thanks to God for a bounteous harvest (helped by good advice from friendly Wampanoags) that meant they could eat until spring.
Maine still prohibits most large stores from operating on Thanksgiving Day and on Sundays, thanks to religiously inspired state laws that allow ever-increasing exceptions.
Stores with five or fewer employees, stories with less than 5,000 square feet, stores that sell boats, stores that sell motor homes, bowling alleys, drug stores, and L.L. Bean are among the exceptions carved out by state law, according to the Bangor Daily News.
