The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882 and was started by the Central Labor Union in New York City. On June 28, 1894, the U.S. congress voted it to be a national holiday.
Labor Day is also viewed as the official end of summer. While the Fall Equinox, the official end of summer, is still a couple of weeks away, at least used to, kids would go back to school around Labor Day (which happens much earlier now) and summer vacations were officially over. Now, many people celebrate the Labor Day weekend with one last picnic or weekend away. It is also the date that many people close up the pool and put away the boats. Did there used to be a tradition that you would not wear white, white shoes or white pants, after Labor Day? If that was the tradition, I don't know if it really applies anymore.
God knew about Labor Day. Oh, He didn't have a picnic, close up His pool (which I guess might be the oceans) and since we probably all picture God wearing white, I don't think He put the white clothes away. But God Himself took a day off from His labors of creating. And He expects us to take time off from our labors as well. And not just once a year, but once a week. We call that Sabbath. I don't think the point is to necessarily not work. But I think the point is more about spending time with God, not being distracted by the work, and might I add, the "play" of the day as well. The point is not about us as much as it is about God, and spending time with God, which in turn, is good for us.
What are you doing this Labor Day? Maybe more importantly then is what are you doing this Sabbath day?
Whatever it is, I hope it is grace-filled and hope-full, and filled with the presence of God.
Blessings,
Pastor Doug
