At the Festival of Harvest, when you present the first of your new grain to the Lord, you must call an official day for holy assembly, and you may do no ordinary work on that day.
Numbers 28:26 NLT
Bank holidays were introduced by John Lubbock, first Baron of Avebury. He was an interesting fellow who studied ants and tried to teach his poodle to read! He was also a scientific writer, banker and politician who in 1871 drafted the Bank Holiday Bill. These were added to existing public holidays, celebrating royal events, Christian festivals and the Great Fire of London in 1666.
The word “holiday” literally means holy day, and finds its origins in the religious traditions of the Jews. When I studied for my PhD, my supervisor was from the Jewish tradition. Not especially religious, he did however mark all the Jewish festivals throughout the year. He considered that Britain was so intense and stressed because the only real celebration the nation had was Christmas. Then most things closed for up to ten days while people indulged themselves. His explanation of this was that we were “festival starved” and consequently feasted rather too hard.
We can take responsibility for our own life rhythms, or simply react to the demands of life that are unceasing. In my 20s I worked myself to exhaustion. Without appropriate rest, our physical and mental health are adversely affected. Hence, bank holidays are opportunities to break the work rhythm and take a day to be at rest and do “no normal work”. Rest doesn’t mean inactivity, it is to do something enjoyable that has no stress factor attached.
Setting work aside, either paid employment or domestic chores, and doing what brings a song to your heart is important and valuable. I like to sit in the garden, read, gather with family or friends. I don’t generally travel to events or go sightseeing, as it is stressful on bank holidays. I simply let out a metaphorical deep sigh, breathe deeply and contemplate the goodness of God.
QUESTION
What plans to have a stress-free day can you make?
PRAYER
Thank you for festivals, Sabbath days and holy days. Help me to live in a godly rhythm.
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