May Day
I seem to be a sheep, just following traditions without thinking of why I do it or where the tradition came from. May Day is just one example. I have surprised my children and other children in the neighborhood with May baskets — setting them on their doorstep, ringing the doorbell, and running away to leave them with a lovely surprise of candies. I’ve watched kids singing songs of spring and dancing around a Maypole. I am not sure I’ve ever thought about why May Day is celebrated.
So, I did a little research on the subject. In 1889, socialist groups and trade unions designated May 1st as a day in commemoration of the Haymarket Riot in Chicago, which was a violent confrontation between laborers and police. President Grover Cleveland signed legislation making Labor Day the official U.S. holiday for workers and May 1st went back to a day celebrating the coming of spring. This began as a pagan ritual in medieval times — and yet we celebrate it.
As a Christian, I am going to celebrate all that God has provided as I look forward to spring. I can celebrate God’s gifts in every season, and I find that, as I weary of winter weather (yes, some of us still have winter weather!) I look forward to His promise of making all things new.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22–23).
Whether the multitudes recognize the seasons as His gifts or not, He still provides.
for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance (Song of Solomon 2:11–13a).
Please, do make your children May baskets — and include a Scripture message. Celebrate spring and share God’s promises of hope with your family and friends. We are sheep — but we are His sheep!
Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3).
Read Psalm 23 right now — our cup truly overflows! Happy May Day!
Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie