Isn't the beginning of spring a logical time to start a new year? After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1st, on the other hand, has no astronomical or agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary. The celebration of the new year is one of the oldest of all worldly holidays.

It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. The Babylonian New Year began with the first new moon after the Vernal Equinox (first day of Spring). The Romans continued to observe the New Year in late March but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that it soon became out of sync with the sun. In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC declared January 1st to be the beginning of the New Year.

In 46 BC, Julius Caesar established January 1st as the New Year after the god Janus (January). Janus was the Roman god of doors and gates, and had two faces, one looking forward and one back. Caesar celebrated his first declared New Year by ording the violent routing of revolutionary Jewish forces in Galilee. Eye witnessess say blood flowed in the streets.

In later years, Roman pagans observed the new year by engaging in drunken orgies. The early Catholic Church condemned New Years festivities as pagan. But as Christianity became more widespread, the early church began having its own religious observances concurrently with many of the pagan celebrations, and new years day was no different.

The tradition of using a baby to signify the new year began in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth.

Other traditions of the season include the making of new year resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. The early Babylonians' most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

Should we celebrate new year? Should we participate in a festivity that has its roots in paganism? False worship is unclean and detestable in the eyes of YHWH / God, and we should reject practices that have such origins.

"When you come into the land which the Adonai (Lord) your Elohim (God) is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations." Deuteronomy 18:9

The Apostle Paul wrote: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers, For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And What communion has light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14

"'Therefore, come out from amoung them and be separate,' says the Adonai (Lord) . 'Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I shall be a father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me.'" 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Indeed, YHWH (God) promises eternal blessings and prosperity to those who are loyal to him.

"For the Adonai (Lord) loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off." Psalms 37:28

Shalom
Michael Grant