Friendship Day History
The National Friendship Day is celebrated every year on the first Sunday in August. There is not much history that can be garnered for this day except the fact that the US Congress proclaimed this day as the Friendship Day in the year 1935.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
“Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13-15
Thus speaks The Bible about the warmest of all bonds—friendship. The Bible, the most primary text of the western civilization, reflects upon friendship as the bond that forms the foundation to human faith, trust and companionship. There are innumerable tales from the Old Testament as well as the New Testament about the value of friendship and how true friendship is a treasure to unearth. Both the versions make a difference between the two broad meanings of friendship—one is a mere acquaintance, the other is a more affectionate relation. These stories and examples have passed into western literary and cultural realms. In the Old Testament Abraham is called the “friend of God” because of the intimacy of his relations. God speaks to Moses face to face “as a man…unto his friend” (Ex 33:11). The romantic friendship of Ruth and Naomi, the devotion of the subordinate Hushai for David, or the mutual relation between David and Jonathan—the Old Testament is replete with these interesting tales of friendship.
In the New Testament, the relationship between Jesus and his disciples is the most primal example of how human friendship can constantly grow. From being teacher and disciple to lord and servant their relationship finally grew to an unparalleled friendship.
Friendship Day Celebration
celebration was a way of life then Friendship Day celebration would be its most myriad expression. Trust, support, loyalty, understanding, empathy, intimacy, conflict, anger—there are more emotions to this bond than words would allow. Each moment spent with a friend is a moment added to time—moments that give us in turn an understanding of who we are, why we exist, what our purpose is in living. The insight is an enriching experience of recognizing how friendship can be the means and ends to our lives. Friendship Day celebrates this outstanding bond of human kind. Celebration of friendship is knowing this marvel that we call by so many names—chums, pals, buddies, mates ! They come in many sizes, shapes and guises. From school pals to work colleagues, from siblings to partners, parents to pets to neighbors to internet friends—let the feeling grow manifolds to the appreciation of this alliance.
Friendship Day is the perfect chance to let your friends know how much they are needed and prized. Of course the best way to go about it is to be a fantastic favorable friend yourself. So let your emotions loose ! Write a poem, send a card, shower them with flowers, load them with gifts or simply set up a Friendship Day party—there can be as many ways to celebrate Friendship Day as you can imagine. There can be ideas galore for your Friendship Day celebration. So go ahead. Feel happily lost in this warm surge.
Happy Friendship Day .....! (My Friends)
Saurabh Mishra
