The day 1 of April is known for playing pranks on others for one' s advantage or fun. Many do know this day for trivial jokes or fun but the origin of this Fools’ day remains obscure.
It is said that prior to the 15th century, Europe’s nations and city states operated utilizing the Julian calendar. The Gregorian calendar moved the date of the New Year from April 1 to January 1. Catholic monarchies were naturally the first adopters of the Gregorian calendar and Protestant nations followed subsequently. Given the nature of the reform, both in terms of communicating such a fundamental change to a large population and dealing with critics of the new calendar system, Europeans, to a large extent, continued to celebrate the New Year between March 25 and April 1. April fools were those who still celebrated the holiday in the spring and were the subject of pranks and ridicule by those who observed the New Year months ago. This is just one of the theories transmitted to the present generation.
Mark Twain humorously stated, “This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four days.” Nobody wants to be fooled on this day so remains alert to cross-check every single task given by others. It may be a false alarm or messages to be communicated. But on the other days, we remain unaware of the many trickeries that comes on our way. There are pranks that don't incur harm orloss, but there are some that bring disaster and ruin.Now, on amore sobering note, manywonders if this life is all a joke and God has played that on them.But I wouldn't go that far. As i perceive it, Humanity has totally lost the sense of being sensible in discerningthe pranks of the one who is playing adirty joke on every gullible souls.
Firstly, understand that the one who is playing this prank is the devil. Some are being tricked to believing a lie all their lives. Look around today, the disbelieve in God and his Saving power. The deception of false religions and philosophies. The false images of seductions displayed in the movies. The false impression of sexual satisfaction by involving in pre- and extra marital bonds. Theseare all a lie. But many are willing to buy it with their lives. They are happy to trade their souls for those deceptive wiles and scheme of the evil one. Truly, humanity has been easily fooled for all these years butare far from realizing it.
The Question on thisday is: When will we gain our sanity and expose the evil prank? When are we going to realize it before the prank destroys us and our loved ones? Yes, its April Fools' Day and its OK to be fooled by friends but there's an enemy that is playing a real fool on us 24/7, so stay alert and don't let him get the better of you!
Vebu Khamo
Kohima Bible College.
