May the Fourth be with you

This year, the May Day Bank Holiday falls on Star Wars day … where ‘May the Fourth be with you’ becomes a playful pun on the iconic Star wars phrase, ‘May the force be with,’ which is used in the films to wish someone good luck or success, invoking the mystical energy known as the Force.

The earliest known use of the phrase dates back to May 4th 1979, when the UK conservative party placed a newspaper advertisement congratulation the newly elected prime minister Margaret Thatcher with the line ‘May the fourth be with you, Maggie.’ Over time, fans adopted the pun to celebrate the Star Wars franchise, and it has gradually evolved into an informal holiday, where celebrations might include, sharing memes and greetings, featuring the phrase, ‘May the fourth be with you,’ rewatching Star Wars movies, dressing up as characters from the franchise, or participating in themed events, online discussions and fan gatherings.

Whilst the first Bank Holiday in May, may be Star Wars day, the second bank holiday, falls on the day after Pentecost, the 25th May, which is a day when we remember the disciples in the locked room, being filled with the Holy Spirit, sending them out onto the packed streets of Jerusalem, speaking in the languages of all those gathered there.

For Christians, ‘The Force’, that Star Wars speaks about, is the Holy Spirit, God, working in each one of us, Paul tells us in Galatians, that the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

To be filled with the Holy Spirit, is to know the power of God working through us, transforming us more and more into the people God wants us to be.

So as we celebrate Pentecost this year, may we know the true force of Gods Holy Spirit, living with us.

May God Bless you

Reverend Heather Wilcox