Jan 1 Or Mar 25
Happy New Year, at least it is now, but it wasn’t always that way. For example, in England, from the 12th century to 1752 the year began on March 25. January 1 did not become the beginning of the new year in Thailand until 1941.
This isn’t the first time that the beginning of the year changed though, it happened long before there was even a Roman Empire. Another empire existed, the Egyptian one. The issue was, they had oppressed and enslaved God’s People, and The Lord said it was time for a change.
In Exodus 12 He told Moses, the month of Abib, would be their January. Abib, and The Passover not only became their new year’s celebration, it led into the Exodus, and a new way of life. The wonderful thing about God, His changes are far reaching.
Abib means an ear of grain or corn. Thousands of years later, The Lord Jesus talked about an ear of grain. He explained that, except an ear of grain fall into the ground and die, it can’t produce fruit. In that one sentence He illustrated what the Jewish New Year had truly foreshadowed all those years before.
What is amazing, is He was talking about the death He would soon die. Christ died during the month of Passover, the month of Abib, and rose three days later. He didn’t just give His life in the month God declared would be the beginning of Israel’s year, He gave us all the means of a new beginning.
Later, the month of Abib was renamed Nisan, or their flight. From an ear of grain to flying away. Even the renaming of time itself, is a reflection of the possibilities of hope God has provided for all of us, Jew and Gentile. It doesn’t matter what you’re facing, when you know Jesus.
That’s not to say it will be easy, anything worth doing will involve sacrifice. A journey always follows a new start. It’s also why, it’s always worth the effort. The more you walk towards hope, the more momentum you build.
Wherever this January 1 finds you, whether secure, or struggling, your circumstances do not have to determine your path this day, or this year. Israel’s greatest day came, not when they were in charge, but when they were enslaved. Christ’s death cost Him unimaginable pain and sacrifice, but His love for us propelled Him forward.
No matter what you are facing today, no matter the size of your circumstances, or the depth of your battle remember this, it can be a new day. Every great event in life, every great accomplishment, and every one who has ever been successful at anything, didn’t start at the finish line, but by taking a step.
Take the step today towards a better future. Ask The One who makes all things new, to begin something new in you. Whether you’re reading this on January 1, or you don’t find it til March 25, it doesn’t matter. Any day can be your day one, so Happy New Year!
