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We are launching not into a new year but a new era for America. For some it will be an arduous undertaking. For others it will be like a breath of fresh air. For the world in general it will be observed as being different from the status quo. Whatever the feeling, the world is about to change and our perception of a new year will be embellished in history forever. Fortunately, the association between man and God has significance when referencing a new year as a point in time that we can begin anew.
The Christmas season is not a mere point on a calendar but is instead a season that has the ability to change the course of history. It has stopped war and provides a warmth within the body that is not scientifically explained but is instead faith based. It begins after Thanksgiving and continues until New Years and it is New Years that insures that we have an opportunity to begin fresh.
New Years is a special time of the year and brings an end to the previous year and announces a new beginning. It allows us an opportunity to trick our senses to start new, throw off our baggage and begin fresh. This is a wonderful concept and provides assurance that a new life is possible.
At the time of and before Jesus the Hebrew calendar was used in Israel. The use of this calendar discloses:
Each day begins at sunset
The Hebrew term for “month” means “new moon,” referring to the new moon that began the month.
The calendar was meticulously structured to align with agricultural cycles and religious observances.
At 46 BC Julius Ceasar introduced the Julian calendar for use by Rome.
The Julian calendar is the one that was introduced to all of the Roman Empire, and it is the calendar that was used during the life of Jesus Christ and at the time of the early Church.
New year was associated with January 1st.
Regardless of the calendar used for New Years or the days of the year that we use to celebrate the New Years, the important thing to remember is that it does exist and the Bible gives us hope to believe that we can have renewal in life. Various references to beginning anew are prevalent within the Bible.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Revelation 21:5 – And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Ephesians 4:22-24 – To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Let us hope that we realize that the world will continue spinning, the sun will continue to rise and set and life will continue. As bad as life may seem, every new year we have an opportunity to start afresh.
God Bless America, God Save the Ukraine and Pray for Israel.
