“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Most of us will recognize these words found in the second paragraph of “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united states of America,” best known as “The Declaration of Independence.”
This coming Monday as we celebrate the signing of this document by the representatives of the thirteen states on July 4, 1776, may I suggest you take a couple of minutes to read the text of the document, which is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. You can find a transcript of the text with the original spelling and punctuation at Declaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives.
As we spend a day celebrating this noble vision to be a country which recognizes all men (and dare I add women) to be created equal, with a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, let us take a few minutes to reflect upon how we have lived into this as a nation over the last two hundred plus years since the signing.
Let us think about how in our present age in these great United States, we as disciples of Jesus Christ might model and help to lead our nation more closely into this long-standing, shared vision for our country.
However, you may choose to celebrate the birth of our nation and all it stands for may it be filled with God’s blessings.
Peace and Love,
Pastor Peggy