New Year's...an event celebrated throughout the world! This is an event almost every culture has acknowledged...since the days of the Ancients....
In America, we have some grasp on the meaning of holiday celebrations. We have been taught that Valentine Day is about romance, July 4th is a celebration of our independence, Thanksgiving is a time to offer grateful prayers to God and reflect on Pilgrims and Native Americans forging together to establish this great nation, and Christmas...the very birth of the Christ-Child...when the Son of God came and chose to become...one of us.
As for the time of New Years...what exactly are we suppose to do?
My take on New Year's, particularly New Year's Eve, as the midnight hour "approacheth", it is a moment in time where romantic thoughts are expressed, a toast to trusting friendships, and at that very stroke... of midnight....magic happens!!...the coveted kiss! After the long awaited moment, you then look your true love in the eyes, and with the sexiest voice a person can muster...you whisper in the ear..."Happy New Year". Then, gently wrapping your arm around the arm of your other...you take a sip from the other's goblet...and from that moment on... you are destined to live..."Happily Ever After!"
Well...so I have heard...
For centuries, the ending of one year and into the next, has been a long lasting event filled with various customs from almost every culture man has ever known of.
In the days of "Glory of the Roman Empire", their very New Year's festivities has similarities to our New Year's celebrations of today. In 742 A.D., A Saint Boniface, a Christian missionary from England, made this comment concerning the "Kalends of January", the title the Roman Empire acknowledged as the New Year. Saint Boniface is quoted: " I was overwhelmed with the dancing in the streets, heathenish cries, sac religious songs, tables laden with food, and women wearing amulets...offering them for sale."
{ I know...what is an amulet? An amulet is a small piece of jewelry or an ornament worn by one with the assurance that by wearing this item of choice would protect a person from evil, danger, and even disease.}
Ok...here is a "Did you know?". A survey was taken and found most Americans average 1.8 resolutions for the New Year (.8?..maybe we fall asleep before we can finish the second one). The "Big 3" or most popular resolutions you might ask?...1) losing weight 2) healthier eating habits and 3) smoke less or quit altogether.
New Years traditions usually is associated with a more thoughtful type of holiday...given to the physical, mental, and spiritual meanings to life itself. Subjects arise like being more patient with your children, improving self-esteem, and reflecting on one's moral character... become a part of this holiday tradition.
What's up with this?
For many of us, both in the present and in times past, New Year's is a time to "turn the page" in our lives and incorporate a higher standard of values that bring a deeper sense of purpose to everyday life. The mental drive to accomplish, the need to gain confidence, and to move closer to the secret of happiness and contentment...are all a part of our New Year's event.
In ancient times, New Year's was associated with the Winter Solstice...a turning point in the calendar year. It is a reminder that only in a few short months the daylight hours would be returning and lengthening, know to numerous ancient cultures as "The Return of the Sun". As Christianity became more involved with the Winter Solstice celebrations, the church attempted to replace "the Sun" with "the Son", by introducing the Birth of the Christ-Child event, aligning with the ancients hope...of a better future.
Many ancient beliefs of various cultures have embraced the thought of "New Year's Celebrations". The ancient Babylonians considered this time of year as a struggle; a struggle with Chaos vs. Order. Other cultures like Hindu, Celtic, and Chinese would reverse the various orders within the classes of society, including the wearing of costumes and singing...until the time of New Year's had passed and the order within a society was restored.
In England, the "12 Days of Christmas" was a time for weather predictions for the upcoming year, while Ireland considered the "12 Days of Christmas" as a period in time when if anyone should pass away during the twelve day period...it was an "instant ticket to the gates of Heaven itself".
The common objective among many cultures in observance of New Year's was... it was a time of year to resolve issues in an individual's life, a type of personal "housecleaning". Goals included paying off debt, reflecting on the shortcomings of the past year and looking for solutions to improve, forgiving others for quarrels that had developed, and being more helpful to the poor and needy.
In the country of Ecuador, people have made straw-filled dummies and at midnight of the New Year, the "Ano Viejo" event was performed. The straw-filled dummies would be set on fire as a symbolic gesture to be rid of the past.
In Rio de Janeiro Brazil, thousands gather at the beaches on December 31st to honor "Yemanjo"...the "Mother of the Sea"...to receive blessings for a good future.
Brazil even considers the color of your underwear as symbolic on New Year's Day! If you choose pink underwear...then love is bound to come your way...for those who choose yellow...prosperity, and for the "tightie whities"... you will receive peace and happiness!
In Vienna Austria, pigs are let loose on New Year's and the idea is if you can touch one of the "escaped pigs"...good luck is bound to embrace you.
In the countries of "Romance"...like Italy and France, particularly those Spanish speaking cultures, a unique tradition appears. During the New Year's celebrations, a person will receive a glass of wine...with 12 grapes in the goblet itself. As the midnight hour arrives, a toast is given and the 12 grapes are eaten...each grape consumed with a wish given to each one.
The types of food given to New Year's Day is said to effect the outcome of the next year. In ancient Rome, the eating of sweets, dates, and figs would symbolize a year of fertility and pleasant blessings, along with prosperity.
In the United States, the "Southern hospitality" thing to do on New Year's Day is to eat cornbread, cabbage, and the ever so popular...black-eyed peas. The peas represent coins are bound to come to you, cornbread brings you gold, and cabbage?...folding money!
For those who live farther up north in the U.S.....cabbage with sauerkraut will bring blessings for the nest year.
So, as you celebrate the New Year...in whatever tradition you incorporate to your celebration...keep in mind what the Scriptures say in regard to our New Year....
Gleanings from the Scripture
Isaiah 43: 18-19 " Forget about it."...the former life is over! God is creating something entirely new...and it is happening in your life! You really can't see it? It doesn't matter what type of "wilderness" you have faced...I have made a way out for you! It doesn't matter how dry life has been for you...those deserts that seem to go on and on. Look!...there are fresh streams now flowing...even in your most desolate and dry places!"
Ecclesiastes 3:1: "Everything has it's time...and your time has come! This is your time!...regardless of what season in life you have experienced!"
Proverbs 16:9 " We can plan...we can set new goals...we can make new resolutions all we want. Always remember...it is the Lord who decides where we go...it is He who determines our steps!"
Habakkuk 1:5 " Look around you...look around good...do a 360 if you want! Take a look at all the nations...Look, Watch, and be Amazed! I am putting into effect a work...in your very lifetime! So, brace yourself!...take the "shock of it all" with calmness. Even if I told you of it now...you wouldn't believe it!"
Jeremiah 29:11 " I am aware...very much aware of your thoughts! What you need to do...is be aware...very much aware...of My thoughts and plans for...you! My plans for you are filled with hope...a future for your success...not one of disaster or evil. Trust Me...I am giving you a future...filled with hope!"
In America, we have some grasp on the meaning of holiday celebrations. We have been taught that Valentine Day is about romance, July 4th is a celebration of our independence, Thanksgiving is a time to offer grateful prayers to God and reflect on Pilgrims and Native Americans forging together to establish this great nation, and Christmas...the very birth of the Christ-Child...when the Son of God came and chose to become...one of us.
As for the time of New Years...what exactly are we suppose to do?
My take on New Year's, particularly New Year's Eve, as the midnight hour "approacheth", it is a moment in time where romantic thoughts are expressed, a toast to trusting friendships, and at that very stroke... of midnight....magic happens!!...the coveted kiss! After the long awaited moment, you then look your true love in the eyes, and with the sexiest voice a person can muster...you whisper in the ear..."Happy New Year". Then, gently wrapping your arm around the arm of your other...you take a sip from the other's goblet...and from that moment on... you are destined to live..."Happily Ever After!"
Well...so I have heard...
For centuries, the ending of one year and into the next, has been a long lasting event filled with various customs from almost every culture man has ever known of.
In the days of "Glory of the Roman Empire", their very New Year's festivities has similarities to our New Year's celebrations of today. In 742 A.D., A Saint Boniface, a Christian missionary from England, made this comment concerning the "Kalends of January", the title the Roman Empire acknowledged as the New Year. Saint Boniface is quoted: " I was overwhelmed with the dancing in the streets, heathenish cries, sac religious songs, tables laden with food, and women wearing amulets...offering them for sale."
{ I know...what is an amulet? An amulet is a small piece of jewelry or an ornament worn by one with the assurance that by wearing this item of choice would protect a person from evil, danger, and even disease.}
Ok...here is a "Did you know?". A survey was taken and found most Americans average 1.8 resolutions for the New Year (.8?..maybe we fall asleep before we can finish the second one). The "Big 3" or most popular resolutions you might ask?...1) losing weight 2) healthier eating habits and 3) smoke less or quit altogether.
New Years traditions usually is associated with a more thoughtful type of holiday...given to the physical, mental, and spiritual meanings to life itself. Subjects arise like being more patient with your children, improving self-esteem, and reflecting on one's moral character... become a part of this holiday tradition.
What's up with this?
For many of us, both in the present and in times past, New Year's is a time to "turn the page" in our lives and incorporate a higher standard of values that bring a deeper sense of purpose to everyday life. The mental drive to accomplish, the need to gain confidence, and to move closer to the secret of happiness and contentment...are all a part of our New Year's event.
In ancient times, New Year's was associated with the Winter Solstice...a turning point in the calendar year. It is a reminder that only in a few short months the daylight hours would be returning and lengthening, know to numerous ancient cultures as "The Return of the Sun". As Christianity became more involved with the Winter Solstice celebrations, the church attempted to replace "the Sun" with "the Son", by introducing the Birth of the Christ-Child event, aligning with the ancients hope...of a better future.
Many ancient beliefs of various cultures have embraced the thought of "New Year's Celebrations". The ancient Babylonians considered this time of year as a struggle; a struggle with Chaos vs. Order. Other cultures like Hindu, Celtic, and Chinese would reverse the various orders within the classes of society, including the wearing of costumes and singing...until the time of New Year's had passed and the order within a society was restored.
In England, the "12 Days of Christmas" was a time for weather predictions for the upcoming year, while Ireland considered the "12 Days of Christmas" as a period in time when if anyone should pass away during the twelve day period...it was an "instant ticket to the gates of Heaven itself".
The common objective among many cultures in observance of New Year's was... it was a time of year to resolve issues in an individual's life, a type of personal "housecleaning". Goals included paying off debt, reflecting on the shortcomings of the past year and looking for solutions to improve, forgiving others for quarrels that had developed, and being more helpful to the poor and needy.
In Rio de Janeiro Brazil, thousands gather at the beaches on December 31st to honor "Yemanjo"...the "Mother of the Sea"...to receive blessings for a good future.
Brazil even considers the color of your underwear as symbolic on New Year's Day! If you choose pink underwear...then love is bound to come your way...for those who choose yellow...prosperity, and for the "tightie whities"... you will receive peace and happiness!
In Vienna Austria, pigs are let loose on New Year's and the idea is if you can touch one of the "escaped pigs"...good luck is bound to embrace you.
In the countries of "Romance"...like Italy and France, particularly those Spanish speaking cultures, a unique tradition appears. During the New Year's celebrations, a person will receive a glass of wine...with 12 grapes in the goblet itself. As the midnight hour arrives, a toast is given and the 12 grapes are eaten...each grape consumed with a wish given to each one.
The types of food given to New Year's Day is said to effect the outcome of the next year. In ancient Rome, the eating of sweets, dates, and figs would symbolize a year of fertility and pleasant blessings, along with prosperity.
In the United States, the "Southern hospitality" thing to do on New Year's Day is to eat cornbread, cabbage, and the ever so popular...black-eyed peas. The peas represent coins are bound to come to you, cornbread brings you gold, and cabbage?...folding money!
For those who live farther up north in the U.S.....cabbage with sauerkraut will bring blessings for the nest year.
So, as you celebrate the New Year...in whatever tradition you incorporate to your celebration...keep in mind what the Scriptures say in regard to our New Year....
Gleanings from the Scripture
Isaiah 43: 18-19 " Forget about it."...the former life is over! God is creating something entirely new...and it is happening in your life! You really can't see it? It doesn't matter what type of "wilderness" you have faced...I have made a way out for you! It doesn't matter how dry life has been for you...those deserts that seem to go on and on. Look!...there are fresh streams now flowing...even in your most desolate and dry places!"
Ecclesiastes 3:1: "Everything has it's time...and your time has come! This is your time!...regardless of what season in life you have experienced!"
Proverbs 16:9 " We can plan...we can set new goals...we can make new resolutions all we want. Always remember...it is the Lord who decides where we go...it is He who determines our steps!"
Habakkuk 1:5 " Look around you...look around good...do a 360 if you want! Take a look at all the nations...Look, Watch, and be Amazed! I am putting into effect a work...in your very lifetime! So, brace yourself!...take the "shock of it all" with calmness. Even if I told you of it now...you wouldn't believe it!"
Jeremiah 29:11 " I am aware...very much aware of your thoughts! What you need to do...is be aware...very much aware...of My thoughts and plans for...you! My plans for you are filled with hope...a future for your success...not one of disaster or evil. Trust Me...I am giving you a future...filled with hope!"
No comments:
Post a Comment