Labor Day is seen by most Angelinos as the last gasp of summer; a three-day weekend serving as summer’s conclusion—the bookend to Memorial Day’s launch of summer. It is well known that Memorial Day honors those who died in the armed forces defending our country, but less is known about the significance of Labor Day. Is it a secular holiday—a materialist nod to the role workers play in building the economic prosperity of the United States? Or should we include Labor Day among holidays Christians take note of? As we shall see—far from relegating Labor Day to a summer bookend—Christians have good reason to enter Labor Day with celebration.
But first, some history.
Labor Day emerged in the late 19th century in response to painful and pressing issues confronting American workers. American industrialization brought a heavy toll. Workers worked grueling hours in dangerous environments for dismal pay. Even more troubling, child labor laws had not yet removed children from such conditions. Work for many had become a curse.
In response, was the American labor movement. Led by various organizations, the American labor movement involved several protests that demanded better working conditions and more adequate recognition of the dignity and needs of everyday workers. As a result, Grover Cleveland adopted legislation in 1894 to make Labor Day a national holiday. The day was to honor those who fought for better working conditions for workers and recognize the importance of all sectors of work—factory work notwithstanding.
“God intended work to bring dignity and fulfillment to our lives.
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A Christian Holiday?
So there you have it. At first glance, there is nothing distinctly Christian about Labor Day. But when we look at Labor Day considering the Bible’s rich teaching of work, a number of resonances emerge.
For starters, the idea that work should be honored, and workers dignified is a strong theme in the Bible. In the Bible, God himself is a worker, and bearing his image means (among other things) that we too work (Genesis 1:26-28). Indeed, our work glorifies our Creator and serves his ultimate purpose for this world. Additionally, God intended work to bring dignity and fulfillment to our lives (Eccl 2:24-25). Considering the important role work is to play in God’s world, Labor Day’s intent to recognize the value and dignity of work and workers fits strongly with the Bible’s own views of work.
There’s another way the story of Labor Day segues with the Bible. Whether it be Pharoah’s enslavement of God’s people under Egyptian taskmasters or the sweatshops of 19th-century America, the Bible recognizes work can be corrupted. And just as God rescued his people from Egypt, God delights in seeing work restored to its rightful place. In this regard, God must surely delight in the fruit of the American Labor movement such as 8-hour workdays, paid overtime, breaks, safety standards, and child labor laws. These are all things that restore work to its God-given place.
“God delights in seeing work restored to its rightful place.”
Given God’s desire to restore work to its proper place and protect the dignity of workers, it is not at all surprising to find out that many of the American Labor Movement leaders had strong Christian roots. As one observer in the 19th century stated, “Trades-unionists, members of guilds, leagues and other organizations of workingmen embraced Christianity and proclaimed its doctrines as being especially advantageous to the welfare of the toiling poor.” In this sense they imitated Jesus, who gave himself up for us so that we might be reconciled to work—that work might know its rightful place.
Labor Day is a time of celebration and rest. For the Christian, it also serves to remind us of the One who labored on our behalf so that we could be set free from bondage. As we conclude our summer this Labor Day, may we do so with gratitude for Jesus, the one who alone redeems work and rest.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Robert Covolo is a Cultural Theologian and Author of Fashion Theology. He is also on staff here at the Center for Faith + Work Los Angeles, serving as our Director of Vocational Discipleship.