Happy New Year!!

Yes, I realize it’s September. No, I’m not losing my mind…well…maybe a little. Few evangelicals are aware of Jewish

holidays and even fewer observe or take special note of them. As a result, you may not know that today is Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish new year. Similar to the secular new year that is celebrated around the globe, Jews celebrate new years with special gatherings with family and friends, where they share a meal together and reflect on the past year as well as dream about the year to come. But there are two important differences to the Jewish celebrations that I’ll use as our devotional for today.

Day of Creation

On Rosh Hashanah, Jews don’t just celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next. Since they believe God made creation on this day, they celebrate the birthday of creation. I don’t know about you, but there is no where in my calendar where I take a moment to pause and remember God’s creative act and the awesome ramifications. When was the last time you read through Genesis 1 and celebrated God’s loving choice to make all that is. Let’s join our spiritual ancestors in giving glory to God for His good creation!

Yom Kippur

The Jewish new year is also the beginning of the most holy days of the entire year. Rosh Hashanah ushers in a period of 10 days that are set aside in preparation for Yom Kippur which is the day of atonement, the day when they remember their sin and its devastating effects, and humbly repent. After reading and celebrating the events of Genesis chapter 1, let us then go on and read Genesis 3, allowing it to prompt sorrow over the consequences of sin and motivate us to turn from our own sinful ways.

Oh God, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving Creator of the Universe and everything in it. Thank You for Your deep love so beautifully expressed in giving me life and especially in choosing to make me in Your image. Thank You for creating me perfectly and inviting me into perfect and intimate relationship with You. Forgive me for the ways in which I’ve rebelled against Your ways and have arrogantly sought to live in my ways instead. I acknowledge that Your way is the only right way, and the only way to enjoy the life You’ve given me. Today, on the birthday of creation, I turn from my sins and humbly ask You to give me strength to walk in Your ways all the days of my life. Amen