Today is Smell the Breezes Day in Egypt.

Believe it or not, this holiday is one of Egyptian culture’s oldest traditions. Known as Sham el Nessim, it probably was celebrated as early as 4,500 years go. Sham el Nessim literally means “sniffing the breeze” and marks the beginning of spring. According to Egyptian tradition, you are supposed to get up early, cut open an onion, and then smell it! Then during the day, you are supposed to take time to go outdoors and enjoy the fresh air.

Today, celebrating Smell the Breezes Day is much the same—with the possible exception of cutting an onion! Millions of Egyptians take the opportunity to go out and have a picnic. The holiday celebration also includes special foods such as smelly fish like sardines or anchovies, dyed eggs, and greens such as green onions and lettuce. In some areas of Egypt, the day is marked with folk dances and parades.

What a great way to welcome spring, don’t you think? The changing of the seasons happens without fail year in, year out. Most of us probably go from winter to spring, and spring to summer without taking much notice, except to put away our coats. Yet, each passing season is a reminder of our great God, who created this world and set into motion the pattern of each season. Immediately after the flood during Noah’s time God promised that the world would go on: “As long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night” (Genesis 8:22). God promised never again to destroy the world with water, and the rainbow is a sign of that promise.

Celebrate spring this year like an Egyptian. Go outside and take a deep breath. Let the sweet smell of springtime air refresh you and remind you of God’s everlasting faithfulness.

You made the moon to mark the seasons and the sun that knows when to set (Psalm 104:19).

To Do

Weather-permitting, pack a picnic lunch or dinner with your family. Then go outside and smell the breezes!

Also on this day . . .

1790—The shoelace was invented.

1884—The first long-distance phone call was made between Boston and New York City.

1912—As a gift from Japan to the United States, 3020 Japanese cherry trees were planted along the Potomac.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.