The Fourth of July is around the corner, and whether you love the fireworks lighting up the sky or you can’t stand all the noise, it’s a day to take a holiday and celebrate the founding of our country.

When we think of holidays we usually think of a day off work, maybe getting together with family, or taking part in certain traditions. But did you know that the word “holiday” comes from the Old English word “haligdaeg”, or “holy day,” which historically referred to a day consecrated to Christian religious observance or festival? 

We can trace these holy days all the way back to Leviticus 23, where God outlines seven special feasts to be observed by His people throughout the calendar year, in addition to a Sabbath day of rest every week. In almost all other ancient cultures, there was no weekly day of rest, and no holidays. God specifically instituted specific days for His people as times of rest, remembrance, and worship.  

As Christians, we are no longer bound to observe the Levitical feasts since they are considered part of the ceremonial law which Christ came to fulfill. Since He died for our sins, we no longer need to take part in offering the sacrifices that those days centered around. But a central theme we see in these feasts is gratitude. When holidays roll around, can we not use those days as an opportunity to pause, reflect, and remember God’s blessings? 

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this week, I hope we can stop to thank God for the country we are blessed to live in and the freedom that we experience every day, freedom which many people in this world do not enjoy. But it is ultimately a chance to remember and thank Him for the freedom from sin and death that we will be able to experience for eternity! 

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted.” Isaiah 12:4

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” Psalm 77:11