June 14th is officially designated as Flag Day. It is a time to display and recognize the significance of the Flag of the United States of America. The Flag consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of Red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars. The fifty stars on the Flag represent the fifty U.S. states and the thirteen stripes represent the original thirteen colonies that rebelled against the British Crown and became the first states in the Union.
There are fixed and particular days when the Flag should be proudly displayed: “The flag should especially be displayed at full staff on the following days: January 1st (New Year's Day) and 20th (Inauguration Day); February 12th (Lincoln's birthday) and the third Monday (Presidents' Day, originally Washington's birthday); May - Third Saturday (Armed Forces Day) and last Monday (Memorial Day - half-staff until noon); June 14th (Flag Day); July 4th (Independence Day); September - First Monday (Labor Day),11th (Patriot Day), and 17th (Constitution Day); October - Second Monday (Columbus Day) and 28th (Navy Day); November 11th (Veterans Day) and fourth Thursday (Thanksgiving Day); and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States (the birthdays of states, date of admission, and on state holidays).” It is always to be displayed with respect, dignity and appreciation. Reasons attached to what The Flag represents are as several and varied as the sources consulted. Quite simply, the Flag of the United States of America symbolizes Liberty, Freedom, Justice for all.
There is a website that states both the etiquette and protocol for the display of the Flag: http://www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette-display.shtml. Church Display - From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium on a Podium: The flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker (to the right of the audience); From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium off the Podium: Custom and not the flag code hold that the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence as part of the audience, in the position of honor at the audience's right.
There must be great care exercised lest the Flag become a symbol of worship rather than a symbol of our being one nation under God with certain inalienable rights…When and Where the United States Flag is displayed in a Church, usually The Christian Flag is also displayed. The history of The Christian Flag is scant: “It is one of the oldest unchanged flags in the world. It was conceived at Brighton Chapel, Coney Island, New York, Sunday, September 26, 1897, and was presented in its present form the following Sunday by its originator. Call it chance, or providence, serendipity, or the plan of God, on that day, the Christian flag was born. The white on the flag represents purity and peace. The blue stands for faithfulness, truth, and sincerity. Red is the color of sacrifice, in this case calling to mind the blood shed by Christ on Calvary, represented by the cross. The first pledge to the Christian flag was written by Methodist pastor Lynn Harold Hough in 1908: "I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands. One brotherhood, uniting all mankind, in service and love." The current and most-used version of the pledge is: “I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag, and to the Savior, for whose kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen and coming again, with life and liberty for all who believe.” A Scriptural idea for a flag is suggested in Psalm 60:1-4, “O God…restore us…You have set up a banner for those who fear You, that they may flee to it from the bow.” The idea is deliverance and refuge provided by Almighty God - JEHOVAH-NISSI - THE LORD OUR BANNER! Whereas, The American Flag symbolizes freedom from all oppression allowing us to worship openly and without fear, The Christian Flag symbolizes deliverance from the bondage to sin, and the reality of liberty in Christ as His redeemed children! In this country, true believers should deem it a great privilege to be the beneficiaries of what both Symbols represent.
There are fixed and particular days when the Flag should be proudly displayed: “The flag should especially be displayed at full staff on the following days: January 1st (New Year's Day) and 20th (Inauguration Day); February 12th (Lincoln's birthday) and the third Monday (Presidents' Day, originally Washington's birthday); May - Third Saturday (Armed Forces Day) and last Monday (Memorial Day - half-staff until noon); June 14th (Flag Day); July 4th (Independence Day); September - First Monday (Labor Day),11th (Patriot Day), and 17th (Constitution Day); October - Second Monday (Columbus Day) and 28th (Navy Day); November 11th (Veterans Day) and fourth Thursday (Thanksgiving Day); and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States (the birthdays of states, date of admission, and on state holidays).” It is always to be displayed with respect, dignity and appreciation. Reasons attached to what The Flag represents are as several and varied as the sources consulted. Quite simply, the Flag of the United States of America symbolizes Liberty, Freedom, Justice for all.
There is a website that states both the etiquette and protocol for the display of the Flag: http://www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette-display.shtml. Church Display - From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium on a Podium: The flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker (to the right of the audience); From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium off the Podium: Custom and not the flag code hold that the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence as part of the audience, in the position of honor at the audience's right.
There must be great care exercised lest the Flag become a symbol of worship rather than a symbol of our being one nation under God with certain inalienable rights…When and Where the United States Flag is displayed in a Church, usually The Christian Flag is also displayed. The history of The Christian Flag is scant: “It is one of the oldest unchanged flags in the world. It was conceived at Brighton Chapel, Coney Island, New York, Sunday, September 26, 1897, and was presented in its present form the following Sunday by its originator. Call it chance, or providence, serendipity, or the plan of God, on that day, the Christian flag was born. The white on the flag represents purity and peace. The blue stands for faithfulness, truth, and sincerity. Red is the color of sacrifice, in this case calling to mind the blood shed by Christ on Calvary, represented by the cross. The first pledge to the Christian flag was written by Methodist pastor Lynn Harold Hough in 1908: "I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands. One brotherhood, uniting all mankind, in service and love." The current and most-used version of the pledge is: “I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag, and to the Savior, for whose kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen and coming again, with life and liberty for all who believe.” A Scriptural idea for a flag is suggested in Psalm 60:1-4, “O God…restore us…You have set up a banner for those who fear You, that they may flee to it from the bow.” The idea is deliverance and refuge provided by Almighty God - JEHOVAH-NISSI - THE LORD OUR BANNER! Whereas, The American Flag symbolizes freedom from all oppression allowing us to worship openly and without fear, The Christian Flag symbolizes deliverance from the bondage to sin, and the reality of liberty in Christ as His redeemed children! In this country, true believers should deem it a great privilege to be the beneficiaries of what both Symbols represent.
No comments:
Post a Comment