The Bible’s New Year starts in Spring, not on January 1

New Year starts in springtime, not on January 1 as many are accustomed to celebrating, per the Bible

Welcome back, listeners and readers. Here’s a heavenly wisdom: The Bible’s New Year starts in spring, not on January 1. Yes, that is what Scripture says! Surprised? Read and learn this amazing truth!

I’m thrilled to have you join me on another enlightening episode of our spiritual vlog here on the educational podcast. I’m Elder Dan, your host. Today, I’m diving deep into a topic that unravels the very fabric of how we measure time: the differences between the biblical calendar and the modern Gregorian calendar.

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Have you ever wondered why our New Year’s celebrations kick off on January 1? Well, I’m about to uncover the fascinating origins of this tradition, tracing its roots through history and culture. So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and get ready for a journey that not only tracks the passage of days but also reflects on how calendars shape our lives and our beliefs. So without further ado, let’s get started with this topic.

What are the key differences between the biblical and modern Gregorian calendars?

The biblical and modern Gregorian calendars have several key differences in their structure, purpose, and origins:

Calendar Structure

Biblical Calendar

• Lunisolar calendar based on cycles of the moon and sun

• Months begin with the new moon

• 12 months of 29-30 days each, with an extra month added 7 times in 19 years to align with solar year

• First month is Nisan (March/April), coinciding with spring

Gregorian Calendar

• Purely solar calendar based on Earth’s orbit around the sun

• Fixed months of 30-31 days (except February)

• 12 months with leap year every 4 years to align with solar year

• First month is January, beginning in winter

Purpose and Origins

Biblical Calendar

• Originated from divine instruction in the Bible

• Used for religious purposes and timing of Jewish holy days

• Dates events from supposed year of Creation (currently year 5784)

Gregorian Calendar

• Instituted by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 CE

• Designed for civil and administrative use worldwide

• Dates years from supposed birth of “Jesus” (Yahshua) (AD/CE)

Day Structure

• Biblical day begins at sunset

• Gregorian day begins at midnight

Key Implications

• Jewish holy days occur on different Gregorian dates each year

• Biblical calendar maintains seasonal alignment of religious festivals

• Gregorian calendar now used globally for secular purposes

The biblical calendar remains important for Jewish religious observances, while the Gregorian calendar has become the international civil standard. Understanding their differences provides insight into diverse cultural and religious time-keeping traditions.

How did the tradition of celebrating the New Year in January originate?

The tradition of celebrating the New Year in January has a long and complex history, rooted in ancient Roman customs and later solidified through various calendar reforms. Here’s how this tradition originated:

Ancient Roman Origins

The celebration of the New Year in January can be traced back to ancient Rome:

In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar established January 1 as New Year’s Day when he introduced the Julian calendar.

January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, who had two faces – one looking to the past and one to the future.

The Romans celebrated their New Year with feasts honoring Janus and exchanged well-wishes.

Evolution Through Time

The January 1 New Year wasn’t immediately or universally adopted:

After the fall of Rome, many Christian countries moved New Year’s Day to more religiously but man-made significant dates, such as December 25 (Christmas) or March 25 (Feast of the Annunciation).

In medieval times, March 25 was widely regarded as the beginning of the new year in Christian Europe.

Gregorian Calendar Reform

The modern tradition of celebrating New Year on January 1 was solidified with the introduction of the Gregorian calendar:

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, which restored January 1 as the start of the New Year.

This reform was initially adopted by Catholic countries, while Protestant and Orthodox nations were slower to accept it.

Global Adoption

The January 1 New Year gradually and erroneously gained worldwide acceptance!

Great Britain and its American colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar and January 1 New Year in 1752.

Russia adopted it in 1918.

Today, very sadly, January 1 is incorrectly and widely recognized as the start of the new year in the civil calendar used globally, even in countries with different cultural or religious calendars!

The tradition of celebrating the New Year on January 1 is thus a result of the ancient Romans’ man-made and errorful practices, preserved and spread through the adoption of the Gregorian calendar across the world.

I’m sure many of you are surprised by these things I have discussed today, but I’d like you to know that spreading biblical truths is very crucial in our ministry. Yes, we truly care about our listeners and readers, and we want them to learn the genuine messages of the Bible.

Until next time, friends. If you’d like to continue this conversation or share your thoughts on this topic, leave a comment below or reach out to me directly. Feel free also to click here to read more on this topic and to visit our main website to learn more genuine truths from the Bible.

Brethren, before I go, let me pray this prayer for you: May Yahweh bless you and keep you; may Yahweh make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may Yahweh lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. I humbly pray all these things to Yahweh through Yahshua the Messiah, our Master and coming King, amen. Kindly keep praying for the shalom of Israel. Take care. Halleluyah!