Happy New Year!

We have made it through another year. It’s time for 2008 to leave us and make room for 2009. ‘08’ has seen its trials in every form of life, but for the most part, we have survived. So, now that we are here, what were you celebrating as the clock ticked down to a new year? When the ball dropped in Times Square, or when you were standing in a church in prayer, what was your new year’s resolutions? Do you know why you go through these rituals each year?

New Year’s celebrated at different times in different countries. This holiday has been celebrated in September in Egypt when the river Nile flooded. Egypt was desert land and this was the way its people could grow their crops. In Babylonia they celebrated in the spring of the year. The Romans New Year was on the first of March in the beginning but was changed 46 B.C. by Julius Caesar to January 1st. January was named after the Roman god Janus who was always shown as having two heads. He looked back to the last year and forward to the new one. In Europe, New Year was often a time for superstition and fortune-telling, and in some parts of Switzerland and Austria, people dress up to celebrate Saint Sylvester’s Eve.

In the West, which is us, we think of New Year’s Day parades, football and resolutions we often don’t keep. The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. This parade celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California. The football game was played as part of the celebration in 1902. The following year the game was replaced by Roman chariot races. In 1916 the football game returned as the sports centerpiece of the festival.

The tradition of using the baby to signify the New year begun in Greece around 600 BC. The baby is a symbol of rebirth. The early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the new year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus.
For luck, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. Traditional New Year’s foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck because it symbolizes “coming full circle” completing a year’s cycle. Black-eyed peas and cabbage are others foods served in many families.

Finally we look at the song Auld Lang Syne. This song is sung at the stroke of midnight across the nation. The song was partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700’s. It was first published in 1796 after Burns death. Burns produced the modern version as others were sung previously. An old Scotch tune, ”Auld Lang Syne” literally means “old long ago,” or simply “the good old days.”
It’s good to know why we celebrate the different holidays. Take the time to know and celebrate that God has created you to enjoy the festivities with hope reason and purpose. If you choose to make New Year’s resolutions, then resolve to know why you do what you do. Know your purpose, research why things happen in your life. Study to show yourself approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15.

SPW 12-31-08