“Old Glory”: More than a Flag

Hello Friends,

Today is a special day in history! Some of you may know what today is, but others of you may not know–and that is okay. Today is Flag Day! Today we honor what some call “Old Glory,” what many look at when the say the Pledge of Allegiance, what some have displayed in their yards–hanging and waving high above the ground–and what we are encouraged to look at as we sing, “Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight…. And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there…”

Here’s a little history about Flag Day. Every year on the 14th of June, the United States celebrates the Stars and Stripes with the annual holiday of Flag Day. Though Flag Day may not be quite as popular or widely celebrated as Independence Day or other patriotic holidays, it does commemorate an important day in history. It celebrates the birthday of the Stars and Stripes, “Old Glory,” which was officially adopted as the national flag of the United States on this day in 1777. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson unofficially declared June 14th as Flag Day. Coincidentally, Wilson also proclaimed “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the U.S. national anthem that same year. Nonetheless, Congress did not designate the song as the national anthem until 1931, and only in 1949 did President Harry Truman sign the legislation that made June 14th of each year Flag Day.

I was thinking about Flag Day this past week, and although it is a symbol of freedom, independence, liberation, glory, pride, and courage, a symbolic marker of the United States of America, there is actually a religious meaning embedded into the flag that waves proudly in the wind. As you know, our flag is red, white, and blue. Have you ever stopped to think what those colors mean? 

Red stands for courage. Many men and women have had the courage to stand up and fight for our country. They have defended our country against our enemies and many have died in the service of our country.

White stands for purity. Purity means to do what is right. We hope and pray that our country will always stand for what is right.

Blue stands for justice. When we pledge allegiance to the flag, we end with the words: “With liberty and justice for all.” That means that in our country, everyone should be treated fairly and with respect.

The colors red, white, and blue remind me of our country, but those colors also remind me of Jesus.

Red reminds me of Jesus’ blood that was shed when he died on the cross for my sin. That is very important, because the Bible says, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). Jesus died on the cross so that we could be set free and forever loved unconditionally.

White reminds me that when I give my heart to Jesus, he washes me and I become as “white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). The Bible says, “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 6:10). Jesus forgives me of my sins.

Blue reminds me of God’s faithfulness. The Bible tells us that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and make us clean” (1 John 1:9). God is faithful to keep His promises and Jesus, through faith, guides on the right paths of justice–of doing what is right.

Red, white, and blue. From these colors that wave so proudly for all to see, I am reminded of our great country ’tis of thee, but more importantly, I am reminded of our great Savior, Jesus Christ, whose red blood set us free, who washes away our sins and makes us clean, and who helps us to do what is right.

On this Flag Day, give thanks for the flag the waves for our freedom, but also give thanks for its colors as they remind us of the freedom and love we find in Christ. So, now, go wave those flags high and proud!

Your Friend, Holy Spirit!