New Day/New Year

So, it’s April Fool’s Day. In researching the origins of this day in history it appears that once upon a time around 1582 Pope Gregory XIII decided to shift the first day of the new year from April 1st to January 1st.

He had his reasons.

Previously, the Julian Calendar considered the Spring Equinox (April 1st) to be the beginning of the new year.

Which makes sense to me since flowers begin to bloom, animals come out of hibernation, people fall in love. . . it’s the season of rebirth, renewal, sunshine, flowers, and longer days.

So, if I had lived back in the day when Pope Gregory XIII was regaling the known world with his opinions and ideas, I would have been considered a fool because I would have continued celebrating the new year on April 1st.

(I might have done it just to be contrary).

Well, that brings me to my garden and my love for spring and all things spring: Colorful flowers newly blooming, birds soaring across the blue sky, squirrels skittering along my fence, and that warm sunshine and long days that lift my soul and make me smile and make me remember God’s promise of newness.

Yep, I’ve decided to celebrate the new year on April 1st from now on. . .

So, Happy New Year 2023!

Jenny W. Andrews copyright 2023