Today is Citizenship Day.

This day honoring all U.S. citizens, whether native-born or foreign-born, was originally celebrated on the third Sunday in May as “I Am an American Day.” But in 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill establishing today as the Citizenship Day, moving the celebration to the day on which the U.S. Constitution was signed in 1787.

The intent of the day is to recognize all those who have become American citizens during the preceding year. The day typically is marked with pageantry and speeches to impress upon these new citizens the privileges and the responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen.

To become a U.S. citizen, you must have lived in the United States for five years. You must be a person of good character, have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government, and can read, write, and speak basic English. You must be 18 years old, legally competent, and express your allegiance to the United States. You must fill out the proper forms and pass a citizenships test.

It can be a long, hard process, and not everybody who wants to become an American citizen is accepted. That’s why this day is so meaningful to the hundreds of thousands who do become citizens during the year.

But did you know that if you are a follower of Christ, then you are a citizen of a kingdom far greater than America? The Bible tells us that when we believe in Jesus we join the kingdom of God, and we will someday live forever in Heaven. We don’t have to live there a certain number of years, be a certain age, pass a test, or fill out any forms. Our citizenship in Heaven becomes official the very moment that we confess our faith in Jesus Christ.

For that privilege, you receive God’s love and forgiveness, his guidance and protection, and life with him forever. Not a bad deal.

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior (Philippians 3:20).

To Do

Write down three things you enjoy because you are an American citizen. Now write down three things you enjoy because you are a citizen of Heaven.

Also on this day . . .

1796—President George Washington’s Farewell Address was read before the Congress.

1872—Phillip W. Pratt patented a version of the sprinkler system.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.