Thanksgiving began as a religious observance recognizing that Pilgrims survived until the first harvest.
Today it's largely a secular holiday filled with family visits, food and football.
And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare his works with singing.
Psalm 107:2
If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour soaked.
With cakes of leavened bread he shall offer his oblation with the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving.
And of it he shall offer one out of each oblation for a heave-offering unto Jehovah; it shall be the priest’s that sprinkleth the blood of the peace-offerings.
And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his oblation; he shall not leave any of it until the morning. ~ Leviticus 1:12-15
