We celebrate Memorial Day this weekend. My wife, Becky, predicts that attendance at church
will be low because people use the weekend as a chance to get away for three days. What is the Memorial Day pattern at your church? I will reserve judgment on Becky's prediction until tomorrow (Sunday).
Memorial Day is important to me and I hope to all Americans. The holiday was
originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the
nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May
30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of
General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former
sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
The 30th of May, 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers
or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their
country during the late rebellion and whose bodies now lie in almost every
city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of
ceremony is prescribed but posts and comrades will, in their own way,
arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances
may permit.
As a youngster I remember Dad taking the family to put flowers on graves and
also taking us to the Memorial Day parade in Ft. Wayne, IN. Dad was a vet and it was
particularly important to him. I believe the most moving Memorial Day for me was
while Becky and I lived just outside of Washington, DC. We took the occasion to visit
Arlington National Cemetery that year and hear the president speak and lay the wreath
on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Looking across the fields of white crosses I was
gripped by the sight of those crosses because they represented the many lives given
to make America free. The dedication of each one caused him to sacrifice his life for
his countrymen. Let us never forget what they represent.
As a Christian I am humbled by their gift to us. And as a Christian I am humbled
and grateful for the sacrificial life given for me on Calvary. Jesus died to set me free
from the bonds of sin. Each week we have the opportunity to remember
that sacrifice with a memorial called communion. It was instituted by Christ so
that we would never forget His sacrifice for our freedom.
This memorial day let's give thanks for our veterans and even more than that let's give thanks for God’s most inexpressible gift.
You can follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/drmaxhigh and
This article will also be posted to the www.southwindschristianchurch.org website
will be low because people use the weekend as a chance to get away for three days. What is the Memorial Day pattern at your church? I will reserve judgment on Becky's prediction until tomorrow (Sunday).
Memorial Day is important to me and I hope to all Americans. The holiday was
originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the
nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May
30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of
General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former
sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
The 30th of May, 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers
or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their
country during the late rebellion and whose bodies now lie in almost every
city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of
ceremony is prescribed but posts and comrades will, in their own way,
arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances
may permit.
As a youngster I remember Dad taking the family to put flowers on graves and
also taking us to the Memorial Day parade in Ft. Wayne, IN. Dad was a vet and it was
particularly important to him. I believe the most moving Memorial Day for me was
while Becky and I lived just outside of Washington, DC. We took the occasion to visit
Arlington National Cemetery that year and hear the president speak and lay the wreath
on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Looking across the fields of white crosses I was
gripped by the sight of those crosses because they represented the many lives given
to make America free. The dedication of each one caused him to sacrifice his life for
his countrymen. Let us never forget what they represent.
As a Christian I am humbled by their gift to us. And as a Christian I am humbled
and grateful for the sacrificial life given for me on Calvary. Jesus died to set me free
from the bonds of sin. Each week we have the opportunity to remember
that sacrifice with a memorial called communion. It was instituted by Christ so
that we would never forget His sacrifice for our freedom.
This memorial day let's give thanks for our veterans and even more than that let's give thanks for God’s most inexpressible gift.
You can follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/drmaxhigh and
This article will also be posted to the www.southwindschristianchurch.org website
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