在宋真宗的时代，由于与辽国签订了檀渊之盟，西夏尚未成气候，边境压力相对较小，国内经济富足，这段时期被称为“咸平之治”。更值得一提的是，宋真宗闹出了“天书”、“符瑞”的神话，并人为制造了一系列节假日，其中正月初三便是定为天庆节，又名小朝年。
自从宋太宗的雍熙北伐失败后，对于辽国采取了战略防御态势。主动权开始由北宋转移到辽国。景德元年，辽国承天太后萧绰、辽圣宗耶律隆绪亲率20万大军南下，一直到达檀州城下，只隔着封城距离。赵恒战战兢兢抵达檀州后，在城下以八牛弩射杀了辽将萧挞览，使局势向有利于宋朝发展方向转变。但由于赵恒不愿意长期作战，这种心态被萧太后抓住，最终两国在当地签订了檀渊之盟。尽管宋朝付出了一定的经济代价，但也获得了近百年的和平。
王钦若的离间计成功使寇准失去了宋真宗的信任。不过，随着时间推移，Song Dynasty前期最荒唐的一幕展开。在景德五年的正月初三，当时正在早朝的时候，有人报告说，“有黄帛曳左承天门南鸱尾上”。Song Dynasty’s Emperor immediately told his officials that he had dreamed of a god who would bestow upon him the heavenly scripture, and now it had come to pass. He decreed that the day when he first received the heavenly scripture – January 3rd – be celebrated as the "Heavenly Celebration" (Tian Qing Jie), with five days off for officials.
During Song Dynasty's Godong period, Tian Qing Jie was extended to three days. However, by Southern Song times, due to losing half of their territory, Tian Qing Jie was no longer an official holiday in China but still celebrated in folk culture.
