Should Christians Celebrate New Year's?

The purpose of this blog is not to label people sinners because they celebrate New Years. That's for God to decide not me. It's to inform people of the history behind a celebration that almost everyone automatically assumes is another Christian holiday. And would as many Christians celebrate New Years if they understood? I think that if more people knew what I found in my research, they would have second thoughts.

First fact we must establish is God does not want His people to have anything to do with pagan or heathen customs. Jeremiah 10: 2 says, "Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them."
New Years celebration is not a Christian holiday. In fact, New Years is one of the oldest and most universal of all pagan traditions and can be traced back as far as 4,000 years; at least 2,000 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Many believe the celebration started in ancient Babylonia in Mesopotamia as a custom of ancient sun-worship. The celebration eventually found its way into Greece and into the Roman Empire. The Romans called it "Saturnalia" in honor of their pagan god, Saturn. Much like today, the "Saturnalia" celebration involved lots of drinking, fighting, orgies, and even ended in human sacrifice to Saturn.
One may ask how a custom with such a thick history of paganism became accepted by the Christian majority? The answer is at first it did not! When Emperor Constantine imposed "Christianity" on the Roman world in 375 A.D., many Christians opposed the adoption of the "Saturnalia" tradition and other pagan customs; but these customs were too popular with the people and eventually became accepted by the mainstream church leaders. Saturnalia's customs of greenery, lights, and giving of gifts evolved into the first Christmas celebrations by early Christians. During this time the traditions of mistletoe was carried-over from Druid rights as a symbol of sex-worship and the Yule Log was carried-over from the bonfires of sun-worship. Modern Christians have taken the custom further and rather than present a gift to Jesus Christ, they started giving gifts to one another.
Another question to ask to determine if Christians should celebrate New Years would be to determine when God decrees the New Year to actually be? Remember, God is the creator of the universe and He has the only right to determine when the New Year should be in the first place. Many believe that the pagan tradition of New Years has taken away the true sacred beginning of the calendar year that God intended for us to celebrate.
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, "This month is to be for you the first month the first month of your year." (Exodus 12:1-2)
The month God is referring to in Exodus is called by the Jews "Abib" or "Nisan", which corresponds with our modern-day calendar of mid March through mid April.
Many scholars believe that God placed the sacred "New Year" in the early spring to mark the beginning of the seasonal harvests.
Somehow, Satan has cleverly deceived the world in believing that the New Year begins on January 1st.
"The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him" (Revelation 12:9)
So, should Christians celebrate New Years? I believe we should stay away from customs that have deep pagan traditions because they symbolize everything that Christians should be against. I think this is one of those situation where we must ask ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" Would He/God want us (Christians) to party on New Years Eve like there is no tomorrow. Should Christians partake in activities that go against their Biblical beliefs?
I say we bring in the so-called "New Year" with a time of devotion and time with our family reflecting on the many blessings that He has given us! Let's not make New Years celebrations about us, but all about Him!

by James Apple Jr.

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New Year Bible Verses

Another New Year is quickly coming upon us! Can you believe it? For many, the New Year is a time of reflection upon the last year. However, it is also a time for renewal and new commitments to God, our family and to ourself for the next year. To prepare, I put together my own list of New Year Bible Verses to help us understand God's promises and give us new hope going into the New Year! I pray these verses will motivate and encourage in your New Year Resolutions for the future.

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

 

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV)
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Colossians 3:9-10 NIV)

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3 NIV)

 

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:5 NIV)
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)

 

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. (Psalm 98:1 NIV)

 

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)

 

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19 NIV)

 

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV)

 

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

by James Apple Jr.

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