I have wanted to do a blog post on the phoenix for awhile now. Since I just got a phoenix tattoo yesterday, and tomorrow is the beginning of a new year, I thought that this would be the perfect time to do that. What is a phoenix? In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling, Dumbledore explains to Harry what a phoenix is. "Pheonixes burst into flames when it is time to die and are reborn from the ashes." The phoenix is found in many myths and tales from Egypt, the Celtics, Greece, Rome, and even the Chinese. In these stories, the phoenix symbolized renewal, rebirth, hope, progress, and the end of oppression. Early Christians also shared stories of the phoenix. To them, the phoenix symbolized the resurrection, eternity, and immortality of the human soul. The phoenix is shown for fire and passion and a true inspiration. It shows that the past has been shed, and the awfulness of it can be forgotten. It symbolizes renewed life despite the seeming end. Some see the phoenix as a comfort in their time of mourning. It reminds them that there is life after death, and the soul is immortal. I found it interesting that the phoenix was the first great seal of the United States of America, set in 1782, but it was later replaced by the eagle. There is also a phoenix revival. It is an economic growth, a return to comfort, security, and prosperity. There is even a possible mention of the phoenix in the Bible. Some translations of Job 29:18 use the word phoenix instead of sand.
When a person gets a phoenix as a tattoo, it has a strong meaning for them. A phoenix tattoo means rebirth and starting stronger than before. It gives a meaning of resurrection, renewal, hope, courage, beauty, grace, and the human soul. It symbolizes to the wearer a bringing of new joys and transformation in your life. My phoenix tattoo also reminds me of Beauty for ashes. It reminds me of Isaiah 61:3 "to provide for``` those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify Him."
How does this relate to a new year? Well, I think that we can all agree that 2020 has been a challenge. There has been COVID, social isolation, deaths, a rise in mental illnesses, financial challenges, and so much more. I have seen a meme floating around Facebook that says, "Nobody claim 2021 as 'your year.' We're all going to walk in real slow. Be good. Be quiet. Don't. Touch. Anything." I say, forget all that. Let's claim 2021! Whether it be better, the same, or worse, we can know that 2021 won't be more than we can handle because God will be right there handling it for us. He will be Emmanuel, God with us, and because of that, we can claim 2021 as our year. We can know that this will be a year of renewal. A year we can grow closer to God by giving Him our fears and worries. We can have our phoenix revival. Our return to comfort and security, as we trust God to take care of us. He loves us so much! He wants to take care of us, but we have to give up the reigns and let Him do just that. Let's claim 2021 as our year. Let's take this next year to grow closer to God and give Him our worries. Most of all, let's remember that He loves us so much. How do I know that God loves us? Because before He created us, He knew what sacrifices He would have to make for us. He knew that He would have to send His Son to die on the cross for us. Jesus knew that pain He would have to endure for us. HE KNEW! But He loved us so much already that He created us anyway. He does love us, dear friends. He loves us so very much. Bask in His love this new year. Soak it all in.
