Happy Bastille Day! Oops, did you know I just committed a “fox pass,” er, I mean a “faux pas.”
Culture is different all around the world. We Americans wish each other “Happy 4th” for our Independence Day.
The French don’t.
Actually, they don’t reference anything at all verbally. It’s a bank holiday for them and certainly a day of great pride and nationalism with lots of celebrations and a big parade down the Champs Ulysses.
But, nothing formal verbally.
This reminded me a bit of some of our cultural differences within Christianity. Some of us (Evangelicals) really like to verbalize the gospel and put heavy emphasis on “witnessing” and “preaching the word.”
Others of us (Mainstream) aren’t against verbalization but place more focus on service and social justice – initiatives that may emphasize “hands and feet” over “mouth and tongue.”
Here’s my quick and simple advice:Both have their place
Rather than espousing one over the other why not embrace both? Both have their place. Simply apply them where each method will “fit the moment” the best and have the greatest impact.
When in the US wish each other a “Happy 4th of July!”
When in France smile and participate in the parade or the fireworks.
Either way the most important thing is to celebrate the reason for the holiday 😉