Today is Smell the Breezes Day in Egypt.

Believe it or not, this holiday is one of Egyptian culture’s oldest traditions. Known as Sham el Nessim, it probably was celebrated as early as 4,500 years go. Sham el Nessim literally means “sniffing the breeze” and marks the beginning of spring. According to Egyptian tradition, you are supposed to get up early, cut open an onion, and then smell it! Then during the day, you are supposed to take time to go outdoors and enjoy the fresh air.

Today, celebrating Smell the Breezes Day is much the same—with the possible exception of cutting an onion! Millions of Egyptians take the opportunity to go out and have a picnic. The holiday celebration also includes special foods such as smelly fish like sardines or anchovies, dyed eggs, and greens such as green onions and lettuce. In some areas of Egypt, the day is marked with folk dances and parades.

What a great way to welcome spring, don’t you think? The changing of the seasons happens without fail year in, year out. Most of us probably go from winter to spring, and spring to summer without taking much notice, except to put away our coats. Yet, each passing season is a reminder of our great God, who created this world and set into motion the pattern of each season. Immediately after the flood during Noah’s time God promised that the world would go on: “As long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night” (Genesis 8:22). God promised never again to destroy the world with water, and the rainbow is a sign of that promise.

Celebrate spring this year like an Egyptian. Go outside and take a deep breath. Let the sweet smell of springtime air refresh you and remind you of God’s everlasting faithfulness.

You made the moon to mark the seasons and the sun that knows when to set (Psalm 104:19).

To Do

Weather-permitting, pack a picnic lunch or dinner with your family. Then go outside and smell the breezes!

Also on this day . . .

1790—The shoelace was invented.

1884—The first long-distance phone call was made between Boston and New York City.

1912—As a gift from Japan to the United States, 3020 Japanese cherry trees were planted along the Potomac.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

This is National Make Up Your Own Holiday Day!

By now you probably have noticed that there is a holiday for just about every day of the year. There are holidays to celebrate food, animals, people, and events. Here are a few you have already missed: Happy Mew Year Day for Cats (January 2); Answer Your Cat’s Question Day (January 22); or Stop Bad Service Day (March 7). But you still have time to mark your calendar for the following: Cow Appreciation Day (July 14); Raspberries and Cream Day (August 7); Elephant Appreciation Day (September 22); even Eat a Red Apple Day (December 1).

Now to be sure, the majority of holidays mark significant events, such as birthdays, national milestones, and other important celebrations. In fact, holidays have been around a long time. (Take a look at tomorrow’s entry to see one really ancient celebration.) After God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, he gave them a whole list of holidays and festivals to celebrate and observe. These holidays reminded the people of God’s great miracles and helped them remember what God had done for them.

That’s not a bad place to start when creating your own holiday. Begin with God and how he has cared for you and your family. Maybe you can celebrate “Dad’s New Job Day,” or “We’re All Healthy, Thank You Very Much Day.” Or maybe it’s time to throw a party because it’s, “I Have a New Friend Day” or “God Keeps Me Safe Day.” Once you think about it, there are probably are as many ways as days in a month—make that in a year—to celebrate God’s goodness and care for you.

So go ahead. Create your own holiday. Celebrate “National Fig Day” if you want. Just start your celebration with thanks to God.

We praise you, Lord, for all your glorious power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.(Psalm 21:13).

To Do

Plan a family celebration today for your special holiday. Make decorations. Plan at least one activity or game to go along with your celebration. Then have fun!

Also on this day . . .

1953—Dr. Jonas Salk announced the discovery of a new vaccine that would prevent polio.

1958—Donald Duck co-hosted the Academy Awards.

1982—Ground breaking ceremonies were held in Washington, DC, for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

In 1807, the British Parliament abolished the slave trade.

Since 1772, it had been legally recognized that individuals in Britain could not be slaves. However, that did not prevent the British from participating—and leading—the international trade in slaves. British ships loaded with cheap goods such as firearms, gunpowder, alcohol, and beads, would sail to Africa and return with slaves. At the height of the slave trade, British ships were said to carry about 50,000 slaves a year.

In the late 1700s, men like William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson worked tirelessly to stir public opinion against this practice. Then in 1807, as the acting spokesman in parliament against slavery, Wilberforce was successful in getting the slave trade abolished throughout the British Empire. But that was only the beginning. Wilberforce spent the remaining years of his life working for the abolition of slavery itself. In 1833, as Wilberforce lay dying, he was informed that the Abolition of Slavery Act was passed. It took a bloody civil war until the United States freed all its slaves and abolished slavery some thirty years later.

It’s hard for us to understand the concept of slavery today. We live in a country where we are free to speak our minds, to worship as we please, and to go where we want. We consider ourselves free people. But the Bible tells us that there is another type of slavery. If we are without Jesus we are slaves to our selfish desires and our sinful nature.

Slavery to sin is bad news. The good news is that Jesus died on the cross to set us free from sin. That doesn’t mean we are free to do whatever we want. No, that would lead us right back into slavery. Jesus has set us free to live unselfishly for him and for others. Celebrate your freedom today!

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you (Galatians 5:1, The Message).

To Do

Finish this sentence: “Thank you God that I am free to do _____________________ today.”

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Pecan Day.

421—The city of Venice was founded.

1668—The first horse race in America took place.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

Today is Harry Houdini’s birthday.

Harry Houdini, one of the world’s most famous escape artists, was born this day in 1874. Houdini, whose real name was Ehrich Weiss<cq>, built his career on the notion that he could escape from anything.

Houdini became most famous for his escapes from handcuffs. During his career, the handcuffed Houdini escaped from sunken packing crates, an enormous paper bag (without tearing the paper), padded cells, coffins, a roll-top desk, burglar-proof safes, a preserved giant squid (yuck!), a giant football, a diving suit, a U.S. mail pouch, and a plate glass box.

While acts like Houdini’s amaze us and leave us thinking, “How did he do that?” these feats of trickery pale in comparison to the great escapes in the Bible. Remember Paul and Silas? While in Philippi, the pair was arrested, beaten, and thrown into the dungeon of the prison. And since the jailer was ordered not to let the Paul and Silas escape, he further clamped their feet into leg stocks, a type of “feet-cuffs.” Get the picture?

Yet, in the middle of the night, as Paul and Silas were singing hymns of praises to God, an earthquake shook the prison. The prison doors flew open. The chains of every prisoner fell off! But Paul and Silas remained in the jail. And because they stayed, the jailer wanted to know all about the God that they worshipped. That very night, the jailer and his entire family were saved.

Paul and Silas didn’t have to rely on sleight-of-hand or illusions. Instead they relied on God. And we can too. When we focus on God, rather than our own problems, he is able to perform amazing acts right before our eyes.

His great works are too marvelous to understand. He performs miracles without number (Job 9:10).

To Do

Do you have a favorite card trick? Perform one for a friend or family member. Then tell them who performs the most amazing acts and miracles.

Also on this day . . .

1882—Professor Robert Koch announced the discovery of the tuberculosis germ—in Berlin, Germany.

1898—The first automobile was sold.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

On this day in 1806 Lewis and Clark begin their return journey from the Pacific Coast.

Imagine setting out on a journey without a map, without any directions, and without knowing your final destination. That’s exactly what Meriwether Lewis and William Clark had to do when Thomas Jefferson commissioned the two to explore the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. Their mission? To discover an overland route to the Pacific Ocean, following the Missouri and Columbia rivers. When Lewis and Clark set out on May 14, 1804, it was the beginning of one of America’s greatest adventures.

More than a year later the expedition stood on the beaches of the Pacific Ocean near the mouth of the Columbia River. With winter soon to arrive, the expedition set up camp and waited for spring before setting out for home. So it was that on March 23 the expedition started back up the Columbia and headed homeward.

When Lewis and Clark started out, they didn’t know where they were going to end up. They didn’t know what they might encounter. They only had their mission and their supplies.

Thousands of years earlier, a man named Abraham faced a similar journey. He didn’t know exactly where he was going. He certainly didn’t have a map, and he didn’t know what he was going to encounter on his way. He only knew that God had told him to leave his homeland and go to a new land that God would show him. There, God would make Abraham the father of a great nation. Abraham trusted God and obediently went.

You may never have to explore uncharted land, like Lewis and Clark did. But God may lead you to unknown places, like Abraham, where you can serve him. That’s when you will need to respond like Abraham—with trust and obedience

Then the Lord told Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1).

To Do

Make a map of your life. Mark the place where God has you today. Include, if you can, where you think God will lead you in the future.

Also on this day . . .

1513—Ponce de Leon discovered Florida.

1775—Patrick Henry declared, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

1839—The expression “OK” [oll korrect] was first used—in Boston’s Morning Post.

1912—The Dixie Cup was invented.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

On this day in 1455, The Gutenberg Bible was the first book ever printed.

If you have one or more Bibles in your home, take a moment to say thank you to Johann Gutenberg, who on this day in 1455 printed the world’s first book, the Bible. Gutenberg was a native of Mainz, Germany. He began experimenting with casting movable type in the 1440s. By about 1450 Gutenberg had perfected a technique that allowed him to produce enough type to print small grammar books and other short works. It was soon afterwards that he began work on the project to which his name would forever be linked—the Gutenberg Bible.

Gutenberg and his workmen produced some 160 to 180 copies of the Bible. Each Bible consisted of nearly 1,300 pages, measuring about 16 inches by 12 inches. (That’s a big book!) Gutenberg never made a profit from his invention or from publishing the Bible. In fact, he died penniless and owing money. Today one of his surviving Bibles is worth millions of dollars.

Gutenberg’s invention ushered in the print revolution. Information was now accessible to the general population. In the ensuing years, church leaders like William Tyndale worked to translate and print the Bible into the English language.

Because of the determination and creativity of men like Gutenberg, Tyndale, and others, we now have access to the Bible in any number of translations, with study notes, devotions, maps, charts, and other aids to help us understand God’s Word. The power of God’s Word is available in 500 different languages today and is available to more than 35 million people around the world.

Spend some time today celebrating Gutenberg’s great gift to us by reading your Bible!

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it (Isaiah 55:11).

To Do

Make it a personal goal to read the Bible daily. Ask a parent or your Sunday-school teacher for a reading plan. (Your Bible may have one in the back. Check it out!)

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Goof-Off Day.

Musical composers Stephen Sondheim (1930) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (1948) share this birthday.

1954—The first shopping mall opened in Southfield, Michigan.

1997—Tara Lipinski, at 14 years and 10 months, became the youngest women’s world figure skating champion.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

This is Memory Day.

How good is your memory? Can you remember what you wore to school a week ago? How about the name of your preschool teacher? Our memory—the ability to recall past events, facts, people, or figures—is an important function we rely on daily.

Sometimes the information we have stuffed in our memory isn’t very useful. We call that trivia. At other times our ability to recall facts and figures is critical. Just try taking a history test when your memory goes blank! Witnesses in court can play a crucial role in determining guilt or innocence as they recount what they saw or heard.

We have all sorts of ways to help our memory. Flash cards help us remember math facts. We have calendars, address books, assignment notebooks, PDAs, and other devices to help us remember birthdays, appointments, and other necessary information. We make lists, set alarms, and even tie strings around fingers so we won’t forget an important errand.

One of the most important pieces of information we can store in our memories is God’s Word. Knowing God’s Word makes us wise, helps us know what to do in every situation, and keeps us from sinning. We are told to write God’s Word on our hearts (Psalm 40:8), to treasure his Word as a precious gem (Psalm 119:72), and to use his Word as a weapon against Satan (Ephesians 6:17).

As important as memorizing God’s Word is, however, it’s just the first step. The Bible tells us that the way to keep from sinning is not only to hide God’s Word in our heart, but also to obey and follow God’s rules (Psalm 119:10). It’s a one-two punch—memorize and obey!

Don’t forget!

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11).

To do

Celebrate Memory Day by memorizing today’s verse. What other Words of God can you hide in your heart?

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Flower Day. Give someone special a flower!

1685—The great composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, was born.

2001—Nintendo released Game Boy Advance.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

Fred “Mister Rogers” Rogers was born on this day in 1928.

Many of us grew up listening to the soothing and reassuring voice of Mister Rogers as he entered his home, took off his jacket and shoes, put on his familiar sweater and comfy sneakers, and welcomed us into his neighborhood.

Fred Rogers devoted his life to the welfare and well-being of children through the power of television. “He was so genuinely, genuinely kind, a wonderful person,” said David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on the show. “His mission was to work with families and children for television. That was his passion, his mission, and he did it from Day One.”

“I got into television because I hated it so,” Rogers said of his show, which became the longest running program on PBS from 1968 to 2001. “And I thought there was some way of using this fabulous instrument to be of nurture to those who would watch and listen.”

In 2002, President George W. Bush awarded Rogers with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, for his contribution to the well-being of children and a career in public television that demonstrated the importance of kindness, compassion and learning.

As an ordained minister, Fred Rogers took a page from his master and teacher, Jesus. Jesus openly welcomed even the youngest child into his presence. In fact, he scolded his disciples for keeping the children away from him (see Mark 10:14). Jesus had a special place in his heart for children and warned his disciples that anyone who harmed them would be punished severely (Matthew 18:4-6). But anyone who welcomed a little child, he said, would be welcoming him.

That’s a good act to follow—show those younger than you the kindness and care you would give to Jesus.

But when Jesus saw what was happening, he was very displeased with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14).

To Do

Spend some time with a younger child today! Treat him or her to an ice cream, or read his or her favorite book. As you do this, remember Jesus and his love for children.

Also on this day . . .

Today is Rotten Sneaker Day.

Today is Big Bird’s Birthday.

1947—A blue whale weighing 180-metric tons was caught in the South Atlantic Ocean

1999—Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones became the first men to circumnavigate the Earth in a hot air balloon. The non-stop trip began on March 3 and covered 26,500 miles.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

The world’s largest chocolate bar was made on this day in 2000.

It’s a chocoholic’s dream and a dieter’s nightmare: a chocolate candy bar weighing in at over 5,000 pounds! It took three days to make, was 124 inches long, 59 inches wide, and 17.7 inches thick. According to the Guinness World Records, it was the largest bar of chocolate ever made.

We are fascinated with the greatest, the biggest, the longest, the fastest, the highest, or the best. Just check out the website for the Guinness World Records. With the click of the mouse, you can discover where to buy the world’s most expensive hamburger, who has the world’s longest beard, or who grew the world’s tallest celery plant. And if that’s not enough for you, today also marks the date in 1994 when the world’s largest omelet in history was made with 160,000 eggs in Yokohama, Japan.

If you are looking for the world’s best gift-giver, though, don’t bother looking in the Guinness World Records. You’re not going to find that record there. When it comes to the absolute best, nothing tops what God gives us each and every day. James tells us that “every good and perfect gift” comes from him. God in fact specializes in giving us good things. Take a look at what God gives us: life, food, rain and fruitful seasons, wisdom, and peace. He lavishes upon us grace, love, forgiveness, compassion, kindness, rest, strength, and power.

But his very best gift—the greatest, most spectacular, most amazing gift of all—was his Son. The familiar words of John 3:16 remind us that “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

That beats any chocolate bar—no matter how big.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17, New International Version).

To Do

Write a thank-you note to God today for the gifts he has given to you. Be specific.

Also on this day . . .

1822—The city of Boston, MA, was incorporated..

1831—The first bank robbery in America was reported. The City Bank of New York City lost $245,000 in the robbery.

1953—The Academy Awards aired on television for the first time.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

The first space walk took place on this day in 1965.

Imagine you are 200 miles above Earth, orbiting the planet in a spacecraft that is going about 18,000 miles an hour. Your co-astronaut helps you into a pressurized suit, makes sure your oxygen tank is operating properly, and then opens the hatch to the spacecraft. And there you are—ready to embark on your EVA—Extravehicular Activity, better known as a space walk.

Most of us wouldn’t give another thought to the concept of actually walking in space. (To be completely accurate, it’s really more like floating in space.) Astronauts perform this rather routine procedure all the time during space flights. It’s no more incredible than landing on the moon or docking at a space station located hundreds of miles above us in space.

Yet when Soviet cosmonaut Alekse Leonov performed the first space walk on March 18, 1965 high above Siberia, it was an incredible feat. To many people it was unbelievable. And when a human being first stepped onto the surface of the moon four years later, it was like watching the impossible happen. Now we talk about going to Mars, and no one doubts that someday it just might happen.

Sometimes our technology and scientific knowledge make us feel as though we can do anything. Nothing is impossible given enough time, knowledge, and money. But if we’re looking for the impossible to be done, there’s only One for whom everything is possible. He is the one who spoke and the world came into being. He is the one who has power over life and death. He is one who dared to live on this planet as a human and offer eternal life to everyone who believes.

With God, nothing—absolutely nothing—is impossible.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26, New International Version).

To Do

Think about something you’ve read about or learned about that amazes you. Now think about something God has done that amazes you.

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Buzzard Day.

1837—Grover Cleveland, the 22^nd and 24^th president, was born.

1881—Barnum & Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth opened in Madison Square Garden in New York City.

1961—Poppin’ Fresh, the Pillsbury Doughboy, was introduced.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.