Enjoy another special message from our Children’s Church leader, Children’s church meets every Sunday at 9:30 AM after Worship in the Sanctuary. The children and youth meet in the Kid’s club upstairs.

Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God,

Did you know that January 1 was not always the new year? In fact, the new year used to be April 1, but in 1564, Pope Gregory XIII changed the date of the new year when he introduced a new calendar. However, some continued to celebrate the new year on April 1 and they were called “fools”, hence the term April fools.

 Pope Gregory changed the calendar from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, which we use today. It is a solar calendar that has been widely accepted around the world as a standard calendar since October 1582. I will point out that Chinese and Asian cultures follow a lunar calendar. The Hebrews, on the other hand, follow a lunisolar calendar, which is based on a lunar cycle and the solar system.

It is funny how man believes he can just change things that were already established by God. It is downright foolish. Yes, the pun was intended. If God wants a calendar changed, then He will change it, and He has. Before the exodus out of Egypt, Tishri was the first month in the Hebrew calendar, but immediately following the tenth plague over Egypt and the town of Goshen, where the Hebrews lived in Egypt, God changed the new year for the Hebrews to Nisan (Exodus 12:2). The month of Nisan is between March and April, which seems fitting because this is the time of new growth.

With this new year, established in scripture, comes a feast known as Passover. It is the celebration of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and a new beginning for them. That same tradition was celebrated at the time of Jesus the Christ and is even celebrated today. We remember Christ as we partake in communion, just as he did at Passover with his disciples.  

All this to say, that this April 1 the fools who celebrate April as the new year are not fools at all. We should remember this month of April, also known in the Hebrew calendar as the month of Nisan, a time when new beginnings are celebrated and the promises God has for the believers in Christ. If you have blessings, then count them and be thankful. If you have sins, then seek God’s forgiveness, and He will forgive you. Do all this as you remember what Christ did for you.

Last week, the little lambs learned about the ten plagues of Egypt and how God used Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This week, we will pick up our story as the Israelites cross the Nile River and learn about the first of seven feasts.

I look forward to worshiping the Lord with you tomorrow through songs of praise and dancing before Him who gives us new beginnings. If for whatever reason I do not see you tomorrow, may the Lord bless you with joy, peace, and guidance in your journey. May He light your path, comfort you, and heal you both, physically and spiritually.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)