Read Time: 4 min 55 sec | Reading Level: 8th Grade

U.S. HISTORY

Milestone for Liberty

In June 2021, Juneteenth became the newest federal holiday in America. Why did Uncle Sam add it to his list of days worth celebrating?

Let’s rewind to January 1, 1863. That’s when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. It said that all enslaved people in the Confederate states were free… but it was tricky to enforce in areas still controlled by the Confederacy.

Fast forward more than two years to June 19, 1865. About 2,000 Union soldiers showed up in Galveston, Texas—one of the last Confederate strongholds. Galveston was a busy Southern cotton port back then. 

The troops were led by Union General Gordon Granger, who brought life-changing news: "The people of Texas are informed that… all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property..." 

More than 250,000 African Americans were told they were free that day. Reconstruction, Black Codes, and Jim Crow laws would make life difficult in the coming decades, but liberated slaves saw Juneteenth as a major milestone for their freedom. Today, that milestone is often celebrated with time off work and community gatherings like parades, street parties, and cookouts.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
What we celebrate shows what we think is important. We celebrate anniversaries because we value marriage, birthdays because we love the birthday girl or guy, and Christmas because God with us is good news. Freedom from the injustice of slavery is something worth celebrating. 

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.”
Romans 12:15-16 (CSB) (read full passage)

Ask your kids what they have already heard about this story.
Discussions about America’s history of slavery can get heated. 

Talk to your kids about what they’ve learned in school and how conversations around slavery have gone. Reflect on what they might need to hear, like:

• There is nothing we can do to change our country’s past. However, we can mourn injustice, learn from mistakes, repent if there’s any sin in us, and be diligent to make things right in our own relationships (Proverbs 28:13). 

• Slavery is not just an evil of the past—some people are still enslaved all over the world today. In fact, there are more enslaved people today than at any other point in history. See if this issue tugs on your kids’ hearts and consider ways you could get involved in the fight for justice (Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8).

• All people are made in God’s image. That means we have an inherent and equal dignity, no matter what value our society places on us. Our dignity isn’t dependent on our appearance or accomplishments or anything else—we have value because God made us and we are His (Genesis 1:26-27; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

What gospel lesson can be taught through this story?
We don't know what it's like to be physically enslaved, but we all have been slaves of sin. 

Slavery to sin means powerlessly obeying whatever our flesh wants and walking as an enemy of Christ. The Bible is clear that this path leads to death (Romans 6:16, 21, 23). The good news of the gospel is not that we are free to be our own masters, but that those who believe in Jesus become His slaves.

Being servants of God is the kind of slavery that brings real freedom: peace with our Creator, power to overcome sin, and eternal life.... “But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the outcome is eternal life! For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:22-23 CSB).

• Explore the Global Slavery Index to learn more about modern-day slavery, using it to guide your prayers for (and next steps to help) people in bondage today.

• Memorize Micah 6:8, “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God” (CSB).

• Pray for justice: “Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen” – The Book of Common Prayer, Prayer for Social Justice

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