Throughout the country, the 250th anniversary was celebrated with much patriotism and gusto, much to the chagrin of the leftists and their mission to destroy her. The vast number of parades, fireworks, and gatherings was a welcome public display of patriotism. You would never think from the weekend’s display of national pride that there exist quite a few who do not share the American ideal.
Now that the weekend has passed, will there be any public displays of patriotism observable going forward? When you think about it, the waning of the fanfare of July 4th is eerily familiar to what goes on with Christians going to church only on Christmas and Easter.
Those who worship regularly know the phenomenon quite well. On Christmas and Easter, church sanctuaries are filled with unrecognizable parishioners who come to celebrate these important Christian feasts. Over time, a derogatory term came into use to describe these mostly absent parishioners. They are referred to as Chreasters, hardly a flattering term.
The same holds with those citizens who show their patriotism once a year, on July 4th. Once the holiday has ended, American flags are packed away, and groups celebrating the country’s freedoms are few and far between. Arguably, they could be called the Chreasters of American pride.
The comparison might have similar motivations. It is not the Christian who denounces their belief, nor does a citizen reject the need to be proud of their country. An explanation could be how these people view Christmas, Easter, and, yes, the 4th of July. The three days are important in the calendar, and the need to memorialize them remains something people feel compelled to celebrate. Important as they are, those days are treated as holidays rather than something more. Christmas, Easter, and the Fourth do not have the same weight as Thanksgiving or Valentine’s Day, yet they are understood the same way. There is a build-up leading to the day, and once it has come and gone, people move on.
The comparison between looking at Christian feasts and Independence Day can only go so far. In Christianity, those who choose not to go to church will not end the Church because it is founded and guided by Christ. It goes without saying that the Church wants her people to attend regularly, but their lack of involvement is quite different from exercising patriotism.
A country like ours may be blessed and guided by God, but it remains a union created by man and governed by the same. Continuing to live out the vision of the founding fathers means that their citizens must love and be proud of the country, and it needs to be broadcast more than just once a year. Consider extending the spirit you had on the Fourth and celebrate the freedoms you have long past Independence Day. The vision and execution of a country free from tyranny can easily be extinguished by forces that hate the nation.
Take every opportunity to help your country by living each day as you did on the Fourth.