Have you heard of Guido Fawkes? Maybe - maybe not! I bet you have heard of Guy Fawkes! The 5th November is the day we celebrate 'Guy Fawkes' with fireworks and crackers (causing much anxiety for animals all over the world)! The thing is I am not sure how many people know why we celebrate this event - do you?
Very simply, Guido Fawkes was part of a plot to blow up the House of Parliament in London on the 5th November 1605. As a staunch Catholic, he was tired of the watching fellow Catholics being murdered for their faith and so a number of men joined in a plot to kill the Protestant King of England. Their plan failed and 'Guy' was executed for his part in the plan. To celebrate the people of England were encouraged to light fireworks and burn effigy's of Guy Fawkes. They were also encouraged to sing...
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Mmmmh, this all sounds a bit barbaric to me - but, hey what do I know? So tonight millions of people will celebrate the failed murder of the King of England and the subsequent execution of Guy Fawkes - interesting! Can you imagine South Africans starting something similar - we certainly have enough bomb blasts, failed coups, attempted murders to choose from.
For me, celebrating Guy Fawkes is just another example of how we 'celebrate' events without fully comprehending the story behind the celebration. In just over 6 weeks time, billions of people will cheerfully celebrate Christmas without fully understanding the origins of the celebration. For genuine believers, the Christ-child still has a powerful impact on our lives - His story lives on in our hearts.
2 Chronicles 35:16
So at that time the entire service of the LORD was carried out for the celebration of the Passover and the offering of burnt offerings on the altar of the LORD, as King Josiah had ordered.
If you choose to celebrate today, Celebrate Grace,
D3LM3
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