| Happy New Year |
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Our modern calendar is based on the the birth of Jesus. But as you have heard in recent sermons (see also The Word from Ern/Christmas Star), we don't know the exact date. Dionysius may have goofed by two or three years when he set up his calendar. Happy 2009!  Around 45 BC or so, they were updating the old Roman (or Julian) calendar. Julius Caesar thought the New Year should be celebrated on the first day of spring. However, the Senate thought it should be on the day they started a new session. So January 1st starting the New Year is a political compromise. Happy 2760! (The City of Rome is thought to have been founded 2,760 years ago.) The Chinese follow a complicated Gregorian and lunar calendar in 12 year cycles (see Note 1). January 26th begins the Year of the Ox or Brown Cow.  People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat peopleBeing the first sign of the Chinese zodiac, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Lucky you! Happy 4706!  a two day festival of the Jewish New Year, does not begin until Saturday evening September 18th. The obligations to honor and enjoy the Festival are fulfilled by preparations like bathing, haircuts, new clothing and cleaning the house. A husband must buy new clothing or jewelry for his wife. Treats are given to the children. The woman of the household lights candles before sunset of the first night and a half hour after sunset on the second night of Rosh Hashanah and recites blessings over the candles. Happy 5770! And of course for you Star Trek fans, Happy Star Date 62001.76 (see Note 2)!  If you work it right, you can celebrate all year long. After all, each new day is a fresh start in life's journey. Some say to just rejoice in the Lord. After all, He hasn't called you home yet. Anni Domini Nostri Jesu Christi 2009 gong xi fa cai Kung Hei Fat Choi Live Long & Prosper
Note 1: There are several different traditions relating to the Chinese New Year. Your calendar may show anywhere from 4746 to 4706 (most will show either 4706 or 4707). Note 2: actually I have little to back up this date. There is great controversy over the methods to calculate Star Dates (Vulcan used one system which Earth didn't agree with, and the Klingons never get along with anybody else). Some calendars use the first flight of the Cochran warp engine as a zero date, others use ancient Vulcan. So you could show the date above, or this year could be 62467.6, or it could be -314000 (BC = Before Cochran). So if you don't agree with this one, insert your own. If you can come up with something based on fact, e-mail Bro. Ernest with the correct calculation.
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