April Fools’ Day

Although April Fools’ Day has been observed for centuries in several countries, the origin of the custom is unknown. While it resembles other festivals — such as the Hilaria of ancient Rome (March 25) and the Holi festival of India (ending March 31) —, the first reference to April Fool’s Day comes from Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales“. The Nun’s Priest’s Tale is set on a date “syn March was gon”. In other words, “since March was gone,” or — most readers surmised — April 1. The tale is about the fox, a character that tricks the vain cock Chanticleer. It’s usually regarded as the first April Fool’s prank.

April Fools Day’s timing seems related to the vernal equinox (March 21), when nature ‘fools’ mankind with sudden changes in the weather. Some people have tried to justify that April Fools’ Day can be considered a fairly innocuous holiday that Christians can partake in.

In one of her articles, writer Peggy Fletcher attributes the modern and widespread acceptance of April Fool’s Day to Pope Gregory XIII, who, by decreeing the adoption of the ‘Gregorian calendar’ — named after himself —, moved New Year’s Day from the end of March to January 1st. Although the change was published widely, some people did not get the message and continued to celebrate on April 1st. According to Ginger Smoak, an expert in medieval history at the University of Utah, these people ‘were ridiculed and, because they were seen as foolish, called April Fools’.

Regardless of the historical background of the holiday, in our time, on April Fools’ Day people are given an excuse to “play the fool”. But is that really something Christians are called to do? Personally, I don’t believe it is. Here are a few things we should take into consideration when voluntarily engaging in pranks and other deceitful activities that might cause even the slightest inconvenience to our fellow brethren.

God is the Author of wisdom, not of foolishness. He expects His servants to seek His wisdom (James 1:5), not play the fool.
Today, April Fool’s Day is observed in most of the countries of the world. Although it is not a formal holiday in any country, it’s a day for jokes, pranks, and hoaxes. Many of these pranks and hoaxes are mean-spirited and cause either physical or emotional harm to our fellow brethren, which is the opposite of what we are called to do (Ephesians 4:2). Even the pranks and hoaxes that don’t necessarily cause any inconvenience to anyone are generally based on lies. Lying on purpose is a violation of the 9th Commandment.
If April Fools’ Day falls during the (Great) Lent period, a time when we should strive to live particularly holier lives than throughout the rest of the year, then it goes without saying that engaging in foolish behavior (pranking, tricking, joking on each other’s expense etc.) for an entire day, for the purpose of celebrating foolishness, should be avoided.
Proverbs 24:9 informs us that God’s Word says, “The thought [devising] of foolishness is sin.” And sin is the breaking of God’s spiritual laws (I John 3:4; Rom. 7:14).
Foolish talking and jesting displeases God (Ephesians 5:1-4). Christ stated, “…whosoever shall say, «You fool», shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:22).
Christ also condemned engaging in foolishness: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within and defile the man” (Mark 7:21-23).
Also, God commands His people to “Learn not the way of the heathen… For the customs of the people are vain [futile]” (Jeremiah 10:2-3). He also commands, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate” (2 Corinthians. 6:17). As followers of Christ, we should strive to bee set apart, to separate ourselves from the pagan customs, practices and traditions of this world — including April Fools’ Day.

Let me know your opinions about April Fools’ Day in the comments section below. Do you think that Christians should partake in the celebration of this holiday?

Proverbs 24:9 (LEB)

Devising folly is a sin, and an abomination to humankind is a scoffer.9Devising folly is a sin, and an abomination to humankind is a scoffer.

Jeremiah 10:2-3 (LEB)

Thus says Adonai: “You must not learn the way of the nations, and you must not be dismayed by the signs of the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by them.2Thus says Adonai: “You must not learn the way of the nations, and you must not be dismayed by the signs of the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by them.3For the statutes of the peoples are vanity, for it is a tree cut down from the forest, the work of the hands of a craftsman with the tool.3For the statutes of the peoples are vanity, for it is a tree cut down from the forest, the work of the hands of a craftsman with the tool.

Matthew 5:22 (LEB)

But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’Greek “Raca,” a term of verbal abuse involving lack of intelligence will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’Perhaps with the idea of obstinate, godless foolishness; some take the word to be a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word for “rebel” (Deut 21:18, 20) will be subject to fiery hell.22But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’Greek “Raca,” a term of verbal abuse involving lack of intelligence will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’Perhaps with the idea of obstinate, godless foolishness; some take the word to be a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word for “rebel” (Deut 21:18, 20) will be subject to fiery hell.

Mark 7:21-23 (LEB)

For from within, from the heart of people, come evil plans, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders,21For from within, from the heart of people, come evil plans, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders,22adulteries, acts of greed, malicious deeds, deceit, licentiousness, envy,“the evil eye” abusive speech, pride, foolishness.22adulteries, acts of greed, malicious deeds, deceit, licentiousness, envy,“the evil eye” abusive speech, pride, foolishness.23All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”23All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”

John 3:4 (LEB)

Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is an old man? He is not able to enter into his mother’s womb for the second time and be born, can he?”*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “can he”4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is an old man? He is not able to enter into his mother’s womb for the second time and be born, can he?”*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “can he”

Ephesians 5:1-4 (LEB)

Imitators of GodTherefore become imitators of God, as beloved children,Imitators of GodTherefore become imitators of God, as beloved children,2and live in love, just as also Christ loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant smell.Or “a fragrant offering”2and live in love, just as also Christ loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant smell.Or “a fragrant offering”3But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or greediness, must not even be named among you (as is fitting for saints),3But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or greediness, must not even be named among you (as is fitting for saints),4and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which are not proper), but rather thanksgiving.4and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which are not proper), but rather thanksgiving.

Ephesians 4:2 (LEB)

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love,2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love,

James 1:5 (LEB)

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask for it from God, who gives to all without reservation and not reproaching, and it will be given to him.5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask for it from God, who gives to all without reservation and not reproaching, and it will be given to him.

April Fools' Day