What is an anniversary ????

An anniversary (from the Latin anniversarius, from the words for year and to turn, meaning (re)turning yearly; known in English since c. 1230) is a day that commemorates and/or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event; 365 days (plus a possible leap day) in the case of a solar year, or approximately 354 days in the case of an Islamic lunar year, or approximately 354 or 384 days later in the case of the Jewish year, or otherwise one year later, would be the first anniversary of that event. The word was first used for the Christian feasts to commemorate the saints.

lol..........

An anniversary (from the Latin anniversarius, from the words for year and to turn, meaning (re)turning yearly; known in English since c. 1230) is a day that commemorates and/or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event; 365 days (plus a possible leap day) in the case of a solar year, or approximately 354 days in the case of an Islamic lunar year, or approximately 354 or 384 days later in the case of the Jewish year, or otherwise one year later, would be the first anniversary of that event. The word was first used for the Christian feasts to commemorate the saints.

What is an anniversary?
by Daniel Denk, Executive Director

As we approach our 50th anniversary at Cedar Campus, I have been reflecting on the question: "What is an Anniversary?" Why do we celebrate anniversaries anyway?

In our society we commemorate many different types of anniversaries. We have wedding anniversaries. We celebrate birthdays. For believers, an anniversary takes on special meaning as we recall God’s faithfulness.

After crossing the Jordan on dry land, Joshua led the Israelites in setting up a monument of twelve stones to remind future generations that "the hand of the Lord is mighty" (Josh. 4:24). We have chosen this as our theme for the Cedar Campus 50th Anniversary, and we plan to erect a stone monument to remember that the Lord has worked and continues to work mightily in this place.

I would suggest three major purposes for any anniversary. They offer a past, present, and future dimension, similar to the Lord's Supper. They relate very well to our purpose for taking time to celebrate our 50th anniversary this summer.

COMMEMORATION

This is a time to help us remember God's faithful works (Josh. 4:24). He is a powerful God, and he is active in history. This is His Story, and we need help in viewing it that way. The reason the Lord established these memorials for Israel is because he knew their propensity to take things for granted. We have an amazing ability to become "ho hum-ish" about the Lord's mighty works soon after they are finished. Future generations also need to be reminded of God's faithful acts in history.

Joshua wisely stated that when your children ask "what do these stones mean" you will tell them about how the Lord dried up the Jordan just as he did the Red Sea, so that you may continue to fear the Lord. We need to help one another re-live the joy, tell stories of his transforming works, so that we will remember that the God we serve is mighty. He is worthy of our complete devotion.

DECLARATION

This 50th anniversary is also a time to proclaim or declare that he is a mighty God, in the present. This is our testimony to one another and to the world - "so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful" (Josh. 4:24). There is the important element of worship in this event, to express our appreciation, to offer him the honor due his name. As part of our celebration, we are planning to invite the community to come to a reception, and we make our purpose known to them. This is a mighty God we serve. Let all the people praise him!

CONSECRATION

Recently, some friends invited us to an anniversary celebration that included the renewal of their wedding vows. This is becoming a more common practice, and a good one indeed, since it allows us to recommit or rededicate ourselves to one another.

We use our anniversary to look to the future. At the end of Joshua's life, he called the people together to reaffirm their commitment to the Lord. "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Josh. 24:15). We stand on the shoulders of many who have gone before us, many who have sacrificed a great deal to make Cedar Campus what it is today. Now it falls to us, and to this next generation, to care for and develop this gift that the Lord has entrusted to us.

Basic definitions of anniversaries:

The date on which an event occurred in some previous year (or the celebration of it)

An anniversary (from the Latin anniversarium, meaning the turning of the year) is a day that commemorates and/or celebrates an event that occurred on the same day of the year some time in the past.

An anniversary from the Latin anniversarius, from the words for year and to turn, meaning (re)turning yearly; known in English since c. 1230. is a day that commemorates and/or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event.