NEW YEAR – THOUGHTS OF A CHRISTIAN!
New Year is celebrated by most. Many gather together in number to party during the preceding evening up to the moment when Big Ben chimes twelve times to mark the end of one year and start of the next. It is at this time that celebrations reach the pinnacle. Fireworks are lit, ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is sung and, often with a glass of special alcoholic beverage, much dancing takes place.
New Year marks an end to the merriment of the festive period, with most returning to work and education shortly after. Mindful of the exuberances and indulgences associated with the Christmas celebrations, many make resolutions. These are typically aimed to address their problems in finances, health and well-being caused through the celebrations over the recent festive period. The resolutions are intended to commence on the first day of the new year. It is hoped that they will soon become integral in day-to-day life and bring improvements. However, such intentions are typically short-lived,as life resumes the regime it had prior to the commencement of the festive period. Ultimately, then there are the feelings of failure adding to the issues the resolutions were to address, plus the misconception that another year will have to pass before there is opportunity to make amends again.
I view New Year through a different perspective. I am a Christian. To me New Year is just another day. I feel that the media and entertainment industry portray it to be a special occasion in a ploy to promote parties and celebrations that boost income to them. In reality, every day is special, for every day is made by God and so should be rejoiced over. In acknowledgement of this, we should always have a spring in our step and joy in our heart. How wonderful to think that the celebrations of New Year’s Day should be with us always and not just on one of the 365 days of each year!
New Year resolutions are borne through a recognition, by oneself, that behaviour and practices of life are not ideal. The resolutions are thus created as a response to the recognition of sins having been done and the necessity to make changes to cease such behaviour in the future. We all do wrong things, think wrong thoughts, or fail to do right things, as it is part of human nature. This mean that Christians and non-Christians sin. Understanding that fact, Christians frequently accept that their behaviour is not ideal and apologise to God for their shortfalls in prayer and partaking in communion. Through these Christians know that God forgives them. Indeed, God also continues to love them, despite them repeatedly sinning. Having accepted this truth, behaviour is automatically changed to become better, through Christians refocusing on their desire not to sin and to become more like Jesus. God is always available to approach in prayer. He likes interaction with us, for it demonstrates our need and love for him. Therefore, changes to inadequacies in our behaviour and lifestyles can be addressed and improved at any time during the year, not just at new year……HOW LIBERATING!
In conclusion, New Year provides a nice way to spend time with friends and family. However, many of the associations of the time are false. Through following the Christian faith, a much more steadfast means of making a new life-changing way of living can be made.
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