For Forefathers Day, take a holiday

Just over four centuries ago in 1620, a weak and weary group of religious refugees aboard the Mayflower arrived on American shores. This set off the prologue to what became the United States, and a tumultuous new chapter for the North American continent. Exactly when it happened depends on viewpoint and chosen source. Call it Nov. 11 (docking at Cape Cod, now Provincetown, Mass.), or Dec. 16 or 18 (landing at Plymouth Harbor).

Or call it Dec. 22 because that’s when National Forefathers Day is officially observed.

The self-styled “pilgrims” numbered 53, not only travel-worn after 66 days at sea, but in deep mourning. When they embarked from Southampton, the Mayflower carried 102 passengers and about 30 crew.

This quintessentially American immigrant story began 14 years earlier, in 1606. A small group of religious reformists, called Puritans because they believed only in the literal words of the Bible and no additional interpretations, celebrations or rituals, broke away from the Church of England. Because the C of E was government-sanctioned, by forming their own church they had committed treason and had to flee.

They settled in the Netherlands. Although it was a religiously tolerant country even then, the Pilgrims struggled there. Why is uncertain; some sources say their work in the Dutch cloth industry was too grueling or their income insufficient. Others say the Pilgrims felt Dutch influence lured the children away from their strict faith. Whatever the reason, they convinced sympathetic London merchants to fund their journey west, just in time for a harsh New England winter.

Arriving just before Christmas, how did they celebrate? Not at all. God, they reasoned, does not want the faithful to celebrate such occasions; religion should be a somber thing. Nor did they find any Biblical reference to Jesus being born on a specific date (or season). For Puritans, if it wasn’t explicitly stated in the Bible, it wasn’t part of the faith. Even Hanukkah in the Old Testament was not described as something to feast over.

“They for whom all days are holy can have no holiday” was a Pilgrim maxim.

Perhaps they missed something. Other “feasts” — generally festivals, more like celebrations than quiet meals — appear in the Bible as “feasts of the Lord.” Then of course, there are the many verses referencing joy, dancing and being merry.

After all they’d been through, those forefathers and mothers sure could have used the pick-me-up.

So whatever your beliefs, may your Christmas, Hanukkah and every reason you may have to celebrate this holiday season, broaden your smile and lighten your heart.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who’s glad she wasn’t a Pilgrim. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.