Presidents Day

In 1880 the United States Congress set a federal holiday for government offices in the District of Columbia, calling it Washington’s Birthday. Of all things, it was celebrated on Washington’s birthday, February 22.

In 1971 Congress shuffled dates by creating the Uniform Monday Holiday Act – giving support to the long desired three-day work weekends. It was still called Washington’s Birthday, though.

The term Presidents Day came in the 1980’s. February 12, Lincoln’s birthday, was never a holiday but many people recognized him as a great president. With Lincoln’s and Washington’s actual birthdays and the Federal Holiday, too much was going on in February. Thus, Presidents Day. How many of today’s students think of Washington and Lincoln as special presidents?

So, Monday, February 15, 2010, what are we celebrating? Presidents past? Present? Future?

Again, I am reminded of how we see the Bible. Many believe it is as changeable as a holiday to fit today’s society. The creation story is seen as a simple allegory, not an inspired description of God’s actions. Christ’s birth becomes simply Winter Holidays, to be recognized with other religions and cultures.

Laws? Civil disobedience changes man’s laws, God’s mostly ignored. They either fluctuate or were negated by Christ’s appearance. When asked about what Christ taught, Matthew 25:34-46 is the center encircled by John 3:16-17, without including John 3:15, 18-19 or Matthew 25:30.

Paul gives a list of things that work to separate us from Christ, and fail to do so, if we remain faithful.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 KJV)

How do we remain faithful?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)

Is this faith necessary? Only if we desire salvation; only if we desire God’s grace.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

This does not change. No whim of mankind wipes out a portion of God’s word that does not fit into a person’s lifestyle.

Christ fulfilled much in the way of prophecy, law and sacrifice. Obedience to God’s will changes not.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:18-19 KJV)

So, celebrate Presidents Day with a bit of history, and a bit of Bible study. The Bible tudy will bless your day.

(Photo cropped from Mount Rushmore National Monument website)