THIS IS A DAY OF GREAT CELEBRATION

 

Dates and time can mean much when it comes to the beginning or ending of something. This is true when it comes to the beginning of the calendar year. 

It doesn't matter where you live on the earth. Through the centuries, everyone knows that spring is the beginning of all things. 

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII’s changed the calendar. Coupled with the new calendar came an adjustment of ten days. In that Friday, october fifth, changed to october the fifteenth. 

There was another adjustment that occurred. The first month of the year, which is April, was changed to January (the goddess with two faces), and it became the first month of the year. 

Yet, there were Protestant countries, including England and its colonies, who did not recognize the authority of the Pope, and they continued to use the Julian Calendar. 

Between 1582 and 1752, there were two calendars in use in Europe (and in European colonies), and two different starts of the year were in use. 

These countries followed  the change according to these dates. 

Italy 1582

France 1582

Spain 1582

Portugal 1582

Prussia 1583

Flanders 1583

Poland 1586

Hungary 1587

Netherlands 1700

Denmark 1700

Sweden 1700-1740 (gradually, by omission of leap years)

Great Britain changed to the Gregorian calendar in 1752. 

America 1752

Japan 1872

China 1912

Bulgaria 1915

Turkey 1917

Russia 1917

Yugoslavia 1919

Romania 1919

Greece 1923

History recalls, "In the Julian Calendar, as in the Hindu calendar, the new year began with the spring equinox around April 1.

People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had changed to January 1 by law, continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 became the butt of jokes and hoaxes and were called “April fools.” 

On this day, many years ago, I Chaplain Dr. Kevin J.T. Santucci was born to my mother and father. As I grew, my mother instilled in my mind that I was no one's fool, so don't allow anyone to call you a fool!

Today, I celebrate this day as I have always celebrated it. In my garden and at home.This is the day in the year that I celebrate the miracle of God bringing me into the world to serve His people. PRAISE YE THE LORD! HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH!

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: For his mercy endureth forever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: For his mercy endureth forever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: For his mercy endureth forever." Psalm 136:1-9.

By GARDEN MINISTRY