“Any man can be a Father, but it takes a special person to be called Dad”.
 

Happy Father’s Day!

Throughout the centuries and across cultures the family unit has been considered a most sacred entity. In fact, most religious texts ascribe reverence to parents and ancestors, as well as, highlight the role of children and members of the family.

In the U.S, the history of the father’s day began in a church on July5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia. Although, it was unofficially celebrated in certain places afterwards it was with the proclamation of President Lyndon B.Johnson in 1966 that it become a federal holiday. This third Sunday of June is a Day we honor our fathers and forefathers for their selfless life, sacrifice and love.

Having been raised by her father, William Jackson Smart, after her mother died, Sonora Smart Dodd wanted her father to know how special he was to her. Smart was a Civil War Veteran and a single parent who reared his six children. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora’s father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910. So Father’s Day was born in memory and gratitude by a daughter who thought that her father and all good fathers should be honored with a special day just like we honor our mothers on Mother’s Day. Today, it is celebrated in several countries around the globe in commemoration of fatherhood.

In the Judeo-Christian faith, the spiritual relevance of Father’s Day is quite pronounced. In the Bible, the reference to God as “Father” typifies the true characteristics and role of the father. That is, “Father God” is understood to be the initiator, the Creator and Sustainer. Thus, fatherhood is the immense responsibility of the father to selflessly serve and love all in the home and community through spiritual leadership. It is the great commission towards a life of sacrificial love, enduring fellowship and forging unity in relationships. Therein, the father is called to be a Christ-like model, a guide and a visionary in all matters of the home, especially in prayer, Bible study, mediation and devotion.

Therefore, Father’s Day is not just an occasion to honor but, a reminder to praise God for the gift and privilege of fatherhood, as well as, a challenge to persevere towards the ideal of our heavenly “Father God”.
May God Almighty bless and strengthen all our fathers to spiritually grow and witness the character of our Father God all the days of their life!

What Makes a Dad

An Anonymous poem

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it….Dad
 

Prepared by:

Rev. Jaisen A. Thomas
Rev. Manoj M Zachariah