Father’s Day, Fathers’ Day or Fathers Day?
Grammatically the apostrophe denotes ownership by the person/s, place/s, or thing/s named immediately preceding it. E.g. The cat’s fur is shedding, refers to one cat, but, The cats’ fur is shedding, would refer to the fur of several cats. The words cat and cats in my previous sentence refer to singular and plural of the word only, not possession.
The term Father’s Day, with the apostrophe before the “s,” thus means the day that you may be celebrating for one particular dad – a day for that father (singular). Fathers’ Day, however, with the apostrophe after the “s,” refers to the broader celebration shared alike among all dads – a day for all fathers (plural).
Thankfully, when it comes to our Heavenly Father, things are a lot less complicated! With God there is only ONE Father…
“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.’” / “I am the Lord, and there is none else.” (Isa. 44:6; 45:18).
“Jesus answered, ‘The foremost is, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord”’” (Mark 12:29).
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven… ‘” (Matt. 6:9).
“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.” (Matt. 23:8-10).
“There is… one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4:4a, 6).
Father’s Day emerged back in 1910 just shortly after the establishment of Mother’s Day. It was officially dubbed “Father’s Day,” with apostrophe before the “s,” back in 1913 to align it with other annual special days. But our Heavenly Father’s Day existed from creation (Gen. 2:2).
52 times a year, on Sunday, Christians world-wide celebrate Our Heavenly Father’s Day! We gather at His House, bring spiritual “gifts” of ministry before Him, we sing to Him… we praise His Goodness, give thanks for His workings and mercies, and worship Him.
In all your celebrations this weekend give fathers their deserving honor, but never neglect the honor due the Heavenly Father. All earthly fathers will fade. Our Heavenly Father is Eternal!
Press on…
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thebrokenrunner 