Juneteenth

According to Wikipedia:

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an American holiday honoring African American heritage. It commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. State of Texas in 1865. Celebrated on June 19, the term is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth, and is recognized as a state holiday in 36 states of the United States.

I learned a new word today. “Juneteenth” is known as a portmanteau, a blend of 2 words and their meanings into a new word. I’m just not sure I can pronounce it correctly. That might be difficult.

However, one thing is easy. That is to understand that freedom is something to be cherished.

We are blessed in the US to have a history of men and women who did what needed to be done, who had the courage to face opposition and who had the integrity to do the right thing. The emancipation of former slaves did not come easy. It had to be enforced in various places, such as Galveston, Texas, where Juneteenth celebrations first began. Unfortunately, such leadership seems to be few and far between today.

The Bible compares sin to slavery. Paul pretty much says you will either be a slave to Jesus or to sin. Passover celebrates the breaking of the bonds of slavery. First, it represents the Exodus from Egypt. Second, Jesus died as our Passover Lamb to break the bonds of spiritual slavery.

One day, there will be a much larger celebration of freedom. Some will not be celebrating at first, though. Some are victims of Stockholm Syndrome. They don’t even know they are enslaved. In time though, the entire creation will free.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

~ Ro 8:22 (NIV)