Five Kernels of Corn

Most of us know the story of the first U.S. Thanksgiving in 1621—a time of celebration, gratitude and unity. Yet, far fewer are familiar with the dark and difficult days that followed, a time the Pilgrims referred to as the "starving time."

After their Thanksgiving feast had faded into memory, the Pilgrims found themselves trapped in a relentless struggle for survival. Their food supplies dwindled like the last fading embers of a fire, and the bitter cold of the winter of 1622 crept upon them with unyielding cruelty. Although they placed their hopes on a promising autumn harvest of corn, their dreams turned to dust as the crop withered and failed beneath the unforgiving sky.

By 1623, their rations had dwindled to mere scraps, with only a few grains of corn to sustain them each day. One well-known story from this time highlights the extreme hardship they endured: each person was given only a small daily ration, which, according to some accounts, was reduced to just five kernels of corn per person per day.

Imagine surviving on just five kernels of corn a day! Yet, even in the face of such desperate circumstances, the Pilgrims’ gratitude to God remained unshaken, especially after receiving much-needed help from the Wampanoag people. As the warmth of spring spread across the land, they planted their crops once more, clinging to the hope that a bountiful harvest would soon follow.

Sadly, a severe drought struck the Plymouth Colony, threatening to ruin their corn crops and leaving them on the brink of starvation. According to historical accounts, the Pilgrims prayed for rain during a church service, seeking divine intervention. Their prayers were answered the following day, as gentle rains began and continued for about two weeks, allowing the corn to revive and grow.

This event is often seen as a significant moment of hope and faith for the Pilgrims. The 1623 harvest, as a result of the rain, was one of the best they had experienced, offering a much-needed boost to their food supply. Additionally, that same year, a ship arrived with more colonists and provisions, which helped the Pilgrims avoid starvation and gave them a renewed sense of optimism for the future.

The tradition of giving five kernels of corn and Thanksgiving can be traced back to Forefather’s Day. The 1820 Bicentennial of the Pilgrims’ arrival on Dec. 22 was an important milestone, as various towns, especially in Massachusetts, held ceremonies with speeches, feasts and the placing of five kernels of corn on each plate, symbolizing the Pilgrims’ hardships and gratitude to God for His presence and blessing.

They placed the five kernels of corn as a reminder of the sacrifice and suffering the Pilgrims endured. They faced unimaginable hardship, including extreme hunger, brutal winters and disease, especially in the early years of the colony. The kernels symbolize the meager rations they survived on, serving as a powerful reminder of their resilience and faith.

The five kernels were also placed to symbolize gratitude, encouraging everyone to reflect on their blessings, even in the most difficult times. After enduring extreme deprivation, the Pilgrims were able to harvest a bountiful crop in 1623. The kernels served as a reminder not only of their suffering but also of the blessings that followed, highlighting the importance of thankfulness through both their suffering and the blessings that followed.

Forefather’s Day is hardly known today, but this tradition has been passed down through various Thanksgiving observances and is still practiced in some places where people place five kernels of corn on their plates as a reminder of both gratitude and resilience.

Let us count our blessings

This Thanksgiving, we could recall the five kernels of corn. Each kernel can remind us of something precious in our spiritual walk. For example:

• The first kernel reminds of what is most important: be thankful for God’s love—the unchanging, unconditional love that surrounds us and sustains us each day. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
• The second reminds us to give thanks for God’s grace—the forgiveness and mercy He offers freely upon repentance, even when we fall short. “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).
• The third kernel encourages us to appreciate God’s provision—the daily bread He provides, the blessings both big and small that sustain us through life. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
• The fourth urges us to be grateful for God’s guidance—the wisdom and direction He offers through His Word. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
• The fifth kernel challenges us to recognize God’s peace—the peace He gives that guards our hearts and minds, even in the midst of life’s struggles. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

As we count these kernels, let us count our blessings. Let gratitude fill our minds and overflow in our hearts, for we serve a magnificent, all-powerful God who has showered us with countless blessings.

This Thanksgiving, let us commit to drawing ever nearer to Him, living according to His ways with renewed dedication and greater devotion. And let us remember to be thankful in all things, for He is with us—providing, guiding and filling us with His unshakable joy and strength.

—Steve Myers, Operation Manager, Ministerial and Member Services

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