Compared to Christmas Day , January 1 is an International Public Holiday! Different countries composed of different people with different cultures, beliefs, educational levels, ages and religions all agree and accept that today is the reference point of this year.
That means that January 1, 0001 was the beginning of the first New Year. But how did it come to be? How could everyone agree that such was the reference point in history? It must have been difficult considering the different opinions, beliefs, religions, cultures, languages, educational level among the people in the different countries and governments of the world. These were the questions that puzzled me when I was in high school.
So I asked my science teacher about it and found his answer fascinating.
He told me that for different countries to agree of the reference point of the calendar, it had to be an event that had the greatest impact in the world, and the only person or event that was able to do this was no other than our savior JESUS CHRIST.
I really didn't expect that kind of answer from my science teacher, but it did make sense. This explains why our first year which is "0001" is also referred to as "1 AD" ( Anno Domini ,which is the estimated time that Christ was born) and before it is referred as BC ( Before Christ). Different countries eventually accepted this and re calibrated their timeline with our Christian calendar. China officially accepted our calendar in 1949 but still celebrate their Chinese New Year for tradition purposes only.
Today, our New Year's day also happens to be the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Let us begin this new year with CHRIST by hearing mass.
JESUS CHRIST is the center of the universal timeline. History is based before and during his lifetime which extends today and forever. I guess, thats why we call it "HISTORY" because our timeline is based on the story of the life of Jesus Christ, who has unified all countries together and people of different walks of life. This fact has been undisputed for the last 2011 years and still counting. This only proves that even today, the impact of Jesus Christ is very real even affects our everyday lives.
Gospel Lk 2: 16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
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