New Year's Resolutions anyone?

The first of the year has come again and once again many of us have probably made New Year’s Resolutions. We have a clean slate for the New Year. We can look back at the year just passing, consider both our failures and our successes, and then look forward to the New Year with what we hope to accomplish and change. The god Janus, for whom the month of January was named, was always depicted in Roman mythology as a two faced god; as one face looked back to the year that had passed, the other looked forward to the year that was coming. Thus, he could see the year that was past with all it's mistakes and errors but also could see the upcoming year which was unmarred. The Romans celebrated the New Year by giving gifts, asking forgiveness for wrongs committed during the previous year and made vows to do better in the New Year. Judaism celebrates its New Year in the fall with Rosh Hashanah. Rabbinic tradition holds that it is on this day in which the Book of Life is opened and God checks to see whose name is written therein from the previous year. The 10 days leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of National Atonement, are to be spent reflecting on one’s life, repenting of one’s sins, asking others forgiveness with vows to do better in the following year so that one will be in better position with God on Yom Kippur. Some ancient cultures celebrated the New Year in the spring because that is when the natural world is reborn after the cold, deadness of winter.

So regardless of when celebrated, the start of the New Year seems to be associated with the concepts of spiritual rebirth, asking for forgiveness, and with vows or resolutions to do better. As Christians we undergo spiritual rebirth at the time of our salvation in Christ, becoming a new creation in Christ. As we reflect on the year that was and consider the year before us, rejoice that as new creations we have been reborn with a salvation that is unchanging and everlasting. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV). “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.” (Luke 11:4 NIV) Seek the forgiveness of God and man at the start of this New Year. Do not start the New Year with the burdens of guilt, sin, and an unforgiving spirit. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13 NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NV) So in his strength, this year resolve to do better.