Christian Living

My Own Jubilee Year

by Joe Larano
12/26/16
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” Count off seven sabbaths of years—seven times seven years—so that the seven sabbaths of years amount to a period of forty-nine years. Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land. Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan. 11 The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields. – Leviticus 25: 8-12

Many political leaders have predicted the year 2008 would foster global cooperation and understanding in the fields of politics, economy and environmental concerns. That sounds great!

For me 2008, brings special meaning for it ushers my 50th birthday. Wow, what a glorious year to commemorate and celebrate my life’s milestone. I classified this year as my Golden Jubilee, a year of thanksgiving, celebration and spiritual renewal. This is a year where my Creator bountifully blessed me with His unlimited provisions for my daily undertakings- both in physical and spiritual realms. This year, indeed is a celebration of His never ending faithfulness.

The word “Jubilee” denotes an occasion to remember and to celebrate the anniversary of an auspicious event or significant day, usually after a long period of time, whether that event is national, global or personal. With joy and exultation we remember the ending of war, the declaration of peace, the founding or liberating of nations. We commemorate the bonding of a couple in a marriage that has endured or the birthday of a person who has achieved the fullness of fifty- or sixty – or eighty years.

The biblical Jubilee that was celebrated once every fifty years is referred to in Leviticus 25 as the “Sabbath of Sabbaths.” Its requirements included that the land lie fallow, all debts be forgiven, captives be freed, and a celebration held.

The year of Jubilee in both the Jewish and Christian traditions is a time of joy, the year of remission or universal pardon. In Mosaic Law, each fiftieth year was to be celebrated as a jubilee year, and that at this season every household should recover its absent members, the land return to its former owners, the Hebrew slaves be set free, and debts be remitted.

And how does the concept of Jubilee applies to my 50th birthday celebration?

First and foremost is to acknowledge that my very existence is designed by my Creator. My life and the breathing mechanism that supports my existence is a gift, it is wonderful and perfect gift from above. This includes consecrating my 50th year and proclaiming God’s faithfulness. Sounding the trumpet to all the spheres of my influence and heralding God’s wonderful plan to each and every one of us.