J is for Jubilee

This year, we are going to pick a word for each month that starts with the same letter that starts the month name, and then our junior designer Olivia is going to create a sweet custom illustration around that word!

Jubilee felt like a great word to kick off 2023. Not only does the word imply celebration of a special anniversary (as CurlyRed will be turning 16 at the end of this month!), but it also has a greater meaning.

Biblically (as well articulated on Tearfund.org) we find the first reference to Jubilee in Leviticus 25, as part of the law given by God to the Israelites. These verses describe God’s intent that the Israelites should remain free from slavery for all time by instituting a Sabbath year every seven years. The Jubilee year – occurring after every seventh Sabbath year, thus, every 50 years – is an economic, cultural, environmental and communal reset, when the land and people rest, and all those who are in slavery are set free to return to their communities. The Jubilee laws are essentially concerned with social relationship, economic security, stability and the wellbeing of the community.

While politically or economically, a full global debt forgiveness or something to that effect may seem idealistic, the idea of a total reset (especially given the turbulent past few years) is appealing. There may be some practical ways to incorporate this idea into our personal and professional lives. A few questions to ponder this month:

• What thoughts or ideas do you need to let go of this year?
• Is there someone (or a group/organization) that you need to forgive? Or do you need to ask forgiveness of someone?
• What resets do you need to make in your lifestyle (diet, exercise, habits)?
• How do you need to think differently about the way your approach your work, your clients, what you contribute to the world, your "why"?

Let us know what the word "jubilee" means for you!

Categories: 16 years of CurlyRed