Today is the Jewish (and biblical) holiday of Rosh Hashanah. It actually began last night at sundown following the pattern of God’s creation – and there was evening and there was morning. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It is the first of three fall festivals that includes Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

Rosh Hashanah is the “day of shouting or blasting” and is marked by the blowing of the shofar. At the sound of the shofar, the Jewish people are reminded to reflect on their lives and repent of their sins. It is a time to make things right with God and with your neighbors. It is a time to seek forgiveness.

In Leviticus, God commanded the people to observe seven yearly festivals in addition to the weekly festival of Sabbath. These festivals served as an opportunity to remember God’s faithfulness in the past and look toward God’s promises for the future. It was a rhythm that became the social fabric of the Jewish people. It shaped their identity.

This rhythm shaped Jesus’ identity and became the backdrop of His ministry.

Rhythm and repetition. Both are incredibly important when it comes to the formation of our families. The season of fall has just begun and my family has already entered into a new rhythm and time of repetition . . . school, Saturday soccer games, Wednesday night church activities. But which of these activities help my family know God in a more real and powerful way? What rhythms have you incorporated into your family’s life that allow you to both remember and celebrate God’s faithfulness as well as live in the hope of God’s promises for the future?

If you want to integrate a new rhythm in your family’s life, may I suggest our book, Hear, O Little One: In the Morning and in the Evening. It is an adaptation of the Jewish statement of belief called the Shema. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7). God told the Israelites to talk about these words with their children in the evening and in the morning. Every evening and every morning. Rhythm and repetition.

Hear, O Little One is actually two books in one. It is a flip book that can be read one way in the morning and the other way in the evening. You can find it here!

During Rosh Hashanah, Jewish people greet one another by saying shanah tovah u’metukah’. The English translation of this Hebrew phrase is also my hope for you – that you have ‘a good and sweet new year’.

Be sure to sign up to receive updates of each new post on our Christian Children’s Authors blog. Follow us for new book news, free resources, parenting tips, and encouragement.

Eric Schrotenboer

#christianchildrensauthors #christianbooks #christianhomeschool #christianteachers