The Forgotten Meaning of Labor Day

Last updated on: September 2, 2018 at 6:40 pm by Andy Gill

The Forgotten Meaning of Labor Day 2018-09-02T18:40:12-05:00 Andy Gill

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Meaning of Labor Day

Guest Post Written By Tylor Standley

Let us remember the reason for the season—the reason why you have a 40-hour workweek, the reason why you have holidays, the reason your children do not work in mines, the reason your workplace is safe. Every day you enjoy the benefits of freedom gained not by the guns of soldiers or the benevolence of capitalists and politicians, but gained by the voices of the workers.

We Christians have etched it into national memory that “Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season.” Barring our neglect to live in light of that claim, I think the memory serves us well. With similar gusto, we remember the reason for Memorial and Veterans’ Days—even within our sanctuaries, we call on those who served or who have lost loved ones in military service to stand so we can thank them for their sacrifice.

In practice, these “holidays” mostly give us excuses to enjoy a break—time to relax and forget the cares of work. Meanwhile, the one national holiday explicitly meant to give us that break, the one that impacts our daily life in more tangible ways than most, is the one we’ve chosen to forget. I speak, of course, about Labor Day.

The road to Labor Day, like all of labor history, is paved with blood…

The Meaning of Labor Day

Tylor Standley

Previous Post

August 29, 2018

Debunking Common Myths We’ve Come to Believe About American Health Care

Next Post

September 5, 2018 Cynicism in the Age of Disinformation…

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Books Buzzfeed Christian Church Church Culture Dating Dechurched eXvangelical Guest Post Humor Inspirational Justice LGBTQ Life Marriage Media Millennials Mini Post Monday Money Podcast Politics Race Reason Relationships Science Sex Socioeconomic Theology Theology Uncategorized Video Wednesday Youth Ministry

Select a Month June 2020 March 2020 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 January 2013 December 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Christian group is known for not celebrating holidays or birthdays?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Episcopalians Methodists Orthodox Jehovah's Witnesses

Support this
Column