Blow the trumpets in times of gladness, too, sounding them at your annual festivals and at the beginning of each month. And blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings. The trumpets will remind the LORD your God of His covenant with you. I am the LORD your God.” Numbers 10:10
“It is well for us to cherish holidays of every sort, national days, festivals, and above all, the family holidays which are sacred to each home circle, and which tend to draw closer the bonds of natural affection. They promote sociality, they afford needed relaxation, and they make the people better and happier by developing a spirit of kindness and affection. Above all, they should be maintained for the children’s sake, for it is a cheerless youth that knows no holidays; and nonetheless do we need them for ourselves.”
Mary Louise Booth (1831-1889) in Day’s Collacon, compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 375.
Holidays are times of gladness that remind us to give thanks to God, and they help us build kindness and affection for one another. We form social traditions that knit us together as family and friends. They bless us and our children.
Today in the USA we observe the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. who stood for justice, freedom, and nonviolence during difficult days. Back in his time the divisions linked to race. Today, many in the USA are deeply divided by party lines. We are living in tense times.
In the Old Testament festival times, God’s people would blow the trumpets to send a message to Him. If I could blow such a trumpet today I would ask God to bring hope and healing, to pour out grace and mercy, and to make us people of kindness and generosity.
Hear my trumpet, O God, for our families, our friends, and for our children.