Time To Celebrate
“And we spin, another day, another dawn, another year, another song. Oh the joys now I remember, I think I’ll tell you in a letter…” – Elephant Revival, Season Song
Hello Dear Friend,
I first started writing this letter over two weeks ago. I was on vacation and looking out at the ocean trying my best to get a new letter out while the sea raged and the wind howled during the middle of the surge caused by Hurricane Ian which was making its way along the Carolina coast.
As I was attempting to get my thoughts down I couldn’t help but think about the symbolic Jewish holiday that was being celebrated earlier that week. The last Sunday of September, at sundown, the festivities of Rosh Hashanah began. This holiday marks the Jewish New Year and is considered to be a very Holy time of sacred assembly and the beginning of a two day celebration.
“He will again have compassion on us; and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” –Micah 7:19, NKJV
I was on the beach when the festivities begin so I wish I had known that the holiday traditionally starts off with the symbolic ritual of Taschlich, known as a “cast off” ceremony. If I knew that earlier then I totally would have had my own version of a “cast off” moment. During this time, the Jewish culture observes Taschlich by going to a body of water and casting bread or pebbles into the water, symbolic of the shedding of their sins. After they repent a joy sets in as the weight of sin is lifted. Through their new found freedom their sins are shed as if being hurled into the “sea of forgetfulness” carried off and washed away by the wind and the waves.
For the American culture, our New Year looks a bit different. For many of us, the anticipation leading up to a new calendar year often has us starting off by first taking a short pause and allowing ourselves the opportunity to look backwards before moving forward. Traditionally, we reflect on the things we did in the past calendar year and the journey that took place as we made another trek around the sun. We laugh over the good times, we’re thankful for the blessings that were strategically placed throughout those twelve months and we are reminded of the lessons we learned through the tribulations that we faced, all so that we can make plans to fully embrace and welcome the New Year.
Much like the American New Year, Rosh Hashanah is a time of reflection over the past year and joy for the beginning of a New Year. But in addition to that, did you know that it’s celebrated as the day that God created the universe? Yeah, up until I began this letter, I had no clue either.
Celebrating the Birth of Creation
“There’s a party going on right here, a celebration to last throughout the years. So bring your good times and your laughter too. We gonna celebrate your party with you, come on now. Celebrate!” –Kool & The Gang, Celebration
It’s crazy to think that the universe would have a birthday, but of course it would! Is there any better way to celebrate the birth of creation than to look out at the vast splendor that God created? I don’t think so, I tend to feel the most alive when I’m taking in the views from a mountaintop, or watching a thunderstorm role in over the mountains and/or ocean, or listening to the wind whistle through the trees while I’m trudging through a forest pathway, or while I stand at the edge of the surf and watch the white caps of the waves curl before they rush to the sandy shoreline.
Of course, before our new year takes place we first celebrate Christmas. Many of us are told about Santa’s” Naughty or Nice” list. With Christmas quickly approaching, even now, you can hear the words from your childhood ringing in your ears, “Make sure you don’t end up on the naughty list or all you’ll end up with is a lump of coal.”
Personally, I don’t really give a damn about that list. But there is a list I do care about and it isn’t talked about nearly enough. The list I care about is God’s list. His list is a chronicle of names written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Not only does Rosh Hashanah observe the birth of creation, but it is also a celebration of our rebirth. The symbolic holiday celebrates the Book of Life and the fact that when we confess that Jesus is Lord and repent of our sins then we are forgiven, we are seen righteous and our names are written into the Lamb’s book – listed among the names of the righteous who will never be separated from Him.
Celebrating Another Year, Another Dawn
“Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated.” –Osho
This year, the celebration of Rosh Hashanah was coming to a close just as I was celebrating my own new year – my birthday. I first learned of Rosh Hashanah as a junior high, home school, kid. That year my mom had my brother and me learning about Biblical holidays as part of our studies. When I learned what Rosh Hashanah was and when it takes place, I remember thinking it was cool that this sacred Jewish holiday happened to always fall right around my birthday. Ever since, I’ve always thought it neat that right as I celebrate a new year of my life, another nation celebrates a new calendar year.
During a time when the Hebrew nation and the Jewish people scattered throughout various places in this world are reflecting, celebrating and have hearts filled with hope for what the new year might hold, I too take some time each year around my birthday to reflect on all I’ve done. I begin to scheme on what I can do to create my best life. I start thinking of things I wish to experience, what changes I should be making to better my life, the direction I should head towards next in my journey and the things that have served their time and purpose that I need to release and let go of.
This year my birthday began with a short walk down to the beach with my mom to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic. As early morning fishing boats scattered over the horizon for their daily catch we took in the start of the new day and a new year for me. That was followed by enjoying coffee and the big breakfast my parents fixed up for me before opening a present or two. By late morning we headed off to the beach soaking in God’s creation, hunting for sharks teeth and sea glass followed by some relaxing by the pool and more presents. Dinner was had and the evening was spent eating cake and playing card games well into the late hours of the evening.
This year was probably one of the best birthdays I’ve had in my adult life. I stuffed my face with homemade cake (thanks Mom for slaving away), basked under the sun and savored some much needed relaxation, made memories as I filled up the day with a treasure hunt, polar plunge, pictures and laughter. Most importantly, I got to spend my day celebrating the precious and beautiful life God has given me.
“It's a great day to remind you, God smiled when He designed you!” –DaySpring, You're a Blessing
With love,
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