Yes, it is April Fool's Day. Has someone pranked you today? Or have you attempted to “fool” someone else?
This is a unique calendar day. Do you know why it’s called April Fool’s Day? Some historians speculate that April Fools’ Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. This decision was actually made official by the Council of Trent in 1563.
In the Julian Calendar, and the Hindu calendar, the new year began with the spring equinox (around April 1). If you think about it, this is revealed by the months themselves.
April: from aperire, Latin for beginning
May: named after goddess Maia
June: named after the goddess Juno
July: named after Julius Caesar
August: named after Augustus Caesar
September: from septem, Latin for 7
October: from octo, Latin for 8
November: from novem, Latin for 9
December: from decem, Latin for 10
January: named after Janus
February: named after Februalia
March: named after Mars
You might notice that there is actually a month missing between April and August to get the numbers to line up right. This is because things were based on the Spring Equinox, which often fell in March. So some years the new year would begin in March… like this year in 2022 it fell on March 20. Other years it works begin in April.
We should probably be thankful for the current changes made to the calendar. In ancient times some calendars were meant to have 13 months. The Egyptian’s had eight days in a week. The Latin calendar was designed to have 10 months. Basically, the world needed a standard system to stay of in the same page.
What does it mean to be a fool? Recently I was called a "fool" for following the Bible. Has that ever happened to you? I think Paul could relate this this accusation (I Corinthians 1:18, 21). However, the Bible reveals that true fools are those who say to themselves, “There is no God.” Because, fools are evil and do terrible things (Psalm 14:1).
It's not foolishness to tell jokes, laugh hard, and enjoy life on this day or any day for that matter. However, it's foolishness to deny our Creator. Seek God, His will, and live life to the fullest in His name! Also… Don’t forget what God has done for you.
Whatever you are facing today, remember that there is a God who can help you through it. He said: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
Don’t be foolish. Let God lead you. He’s never going to take you down foolish paths.
You are loved!
Dr. Ray Reynolds
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