Some Christians observe Sunday as a “family-day”. Families may go for ‘Sunday lunch’ – a time to catch up with each other’s lives and to communicate with each other’s helps – keeping them close to each other. Some Christians may spend time with their children, if their marriage has broken down. Christians see ‘family’ as important and would feel justified in putting the children’s needs before Church. It is also a good day to visit the elderly and your relatives.
Other Christians see Sunday as a personal time for prayer and reflection. They see it as a day to look for guidance, to contemplate - The ‘Eternal rest’ that is waiting for us. This can be done in their own thoughts and prayers or in bible study either at home or at Church. For Christians, Sunday is a day of worship, a day to praise God. Christians attend Church on a Sunday in order to come together and praise God, receiving support and encouragement from each other. Most Christians believe that they should obey Jesus’ command to receive the bread and wine in memory of him. In the video we watched “Faith in action”, one vicar saw Sunday as a day of liberty and freedom – from the worlds pressures, a time to live life to its fullest, in a close relationship with God.
Some Christians may attend Church on a Sunday – but still work at home, if they have been working from Monday to Saturday. Some churches also have activities for the children to attend, while still remembering the significance of Sunday. Sunday school is another option for children to consider on a Sunday, increasing their education and understanding. For others, a quiet day of reflection and remembrance is respected, and is used to visit the cemetery. Some Christians may visit the sick and do charity works; for example groups like The Salvation Army. Some Christians work on a Sunday in hospitals, fire stations etc and therefor worship God in a different way. For example, by going to Saturday evening mass for Catholics. If you are a member of The Church of Scotland then you are not supposed to work or travel on a Sunday. You are supposed to go to Church, visit family or rest. These are called orthodox Christians.
The Sunday Observance Act of 1677 was intended for the nation, a Christian nation, to be able to keep Sunday holy. As I have stated, many Christians observe Sunday in different ways, but as long as you do your part – as little as it may be and give apart of your time to God, then you are carrying out the Sunday Observance Act.
