LABOR DAY IS A NATIONAL
HOLIDAY. . .
EVEN OTHER COUNTRIES
CELEBRATE IT, BUT IN MAY!
Labor Day is celebrated in America on the first Monday in September each year. This year we celebrate it on Monday, September 5th. It was originally organized to celebrate various labor associations' strengths and contributions to the United States’ economy.
It is a yearly national tribute dedicated to the achievements workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. The American worker has also contributed to the freedom and leadership of this nation, and these are the reasons it pays tribute to them.
It has largely become a day of rest in modern times. Many people mark Labor Day as
the end of the summer season and a last chance to make trips or hold outdoor events.
(The picture to the right recognizes the efforts of workers worldwide- istockphoto.com
by Marisa Allegra Williams)
The first Labor Day was held in 1882. Its origins stem from the desire of the Central Labor Union to create a holiday for workers. It became a federal holiday in 1894. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with a street parade to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labor organizations. After the parade, a festival was to be held to amuse local workers and their families. In later years, prominent men and women held speeches. This is less common now, but is sometimes seen in election years. One of the reasons for choosing to celebrate this on the first Monday in September was to add a holiday in the long gap between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
What about other countries? Do they celebrate Labor Day? YES! May Day is also referred to as Labor Day in many countries, as it also came about from efforts of the labor union movement to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers.
It is celebrated as a national holiday across many countries in continents around the world. In Mexico, it is referred to as Primero de Mayo, and is a national holiday honoring workers. Around this time of the year, students in educational institutions may discuss the holiday and the effects of politics on this day.
At the U.S. Dept. of Labor, there are interesting tools,
resources, and reports available to you:
http://www.dol.gov/laborday/resources.htm
state of the American work on a video on this
link below. (Once on the page, it is on the
bottom right:)
http://www.dol.gov/laborday/
A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE CELEBRATION OF LABOR DAY:
Apart from Christ, all work is meaningless.
“...Apart from Me, you can do nothing!” (John 5:5b)
But in Him, human labor is made good and holy.
"Come unto Me all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take My
yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble, and there you will find
rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28) Jesus’ invitation is for anyone who is “weary and burdened” to come to Him. You’re overstressed and overworked. You’re underpaid and
under appreciated. And if you are honest, you probably had to drag yourself out of bed to
get up this morning. Weary and burdened? Yes.
When it comes to these feelings of insignificance, God reminds us that we are “loved by God and kept by Jesus Christ…” and because this is true, “peace can be yours in abundance.” (Jude 1-2) Our significance comes, not from what we do, but from whose we are! When our significance and worth come from God, the peace of God comes along with it. People who look for rest, peace, fulfillment, and significance in their jobs, they will always be left empty and disappointed. Contrast that with the people who seek the rest and peace that Jesus offers.
God’s plan for work is different. Adam and Eve's rebellion in the garden resulted in work becoming difficult the rest of their lives.(Genesis 3:17-19)
But God also instructed His people to rest from work regularly (Exodus 20:8-11)
All work is to be done for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
Christ through his active obedience perfectly accomplished the work the Father gave for Him to do. “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to.” (John 17:4)
Jesus accomplished his task on earth at the cross to save sinners, at the tomb and rose again, and returned to heaven to prepare a place for His own.
Before He left, Christ commissione d his followers to work for the advancement of His kingdom until he returns. Jesus stressed that he was sending his disciples into the world just as the Father had sent Him. (John 17:18)
Part of what makes the new heavens and the new earth so beautiful is not the absence of work, but the absence of the curse that makes work difficult. Can you imagine being able to serve the Lord without any hindrance from sin, fatigue, frailty, or anything else that limits our ability to serve God?
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians15:58)
So work is part of who God has made us to be; it is part of the original created order that God designated as "very good." (Genesis 1:28)
So, to sum it all up, you see that God ordained that man work hard to the glory of God because sin entered the world. God is the One who gives man strength to succeed, prosper, or fail, for He is in control of all things and in control of man. No matter what work we are doing, whether it is changing a baby’s diaper or collecting trash, or cleaning the sewers, or working in the ditches or in a bank or going to school, all work must be done to the glory of God. So then who should get all the glory? You and me? No. God should get the glory and praise for all the work we have done.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)
MAY GOD BLESS YOUR LABOR DAY AS YOU REFLECT AND REST ON HIS BLESSINGS AND GOODNESS IN YOUR LIFE!
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