{"id":4241,"date":"2009-01-28T05:11:49","date_gmt":"2009-01-28T05:11:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/?p=4241"},"modified":"2026-01-25T05:17:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T05:17:24","slug":"new-years-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/index.php\/2009\/01\/28\/new-years-day\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year’s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bible Study Supplement\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 New Year\u2019s Day\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Historical Study<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

We are going to take a relatively comprehensive look at the origins of New Year\u2019s Day.\u00a0 This historical study will also include some information on New Year\u2019s Eve as these two go hand and hand.\u00a0 We will specifically look at the historical origins of past years and compare those with the current traditions that are now celebrated.<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

For this historical portion of the bible study we will not be using any internet resources.\u00a0 The only resources that will be used are from old books.\u00a0 So let\u2019s begin\u2026<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

January\u2019s \u201cbeginning being near the winter solstice, the year is thus made to present a complete series of the seasonal changes and operations, including equally the first movements of spring, and the death of the annual vegetation in the frozen arms of winter.\u00a0 Yet the earliest calendars, as the Jewish, the Egyptian, and Greek, did not place the commencement of the year at this point.\u00a0 It was not done till the formation of the Roman calendar, usually attributed to the second king, Numa Pompilus, whose reign is set down as terminating anno 672 B.C.\u00a0 Numa, it is said, having decreed that the year should commence now, added two new months to the ten into which the year had previously been divided, calling the first Januarius, in honour of Janus, the deity supposed to preside over doors (Lat. Janua, a door), who might very naturally be resumed also to have something to do with the opening of the year.\u201d1\u00a0 \u201cThe ancient Jewish year, which opened with the 25th<\/sup> of March, continued long to have a legal position in Christian countries.\u00a0 In England, it was not till 1752 that the 1st<\/sup> of January became the initial day of the legal.\u201d2\u00a0 \u201cIn Soctland, this desirable change was made by a decress of James VI. In privy council, in the year 1600.\u00a0 IT was effected in France in 1564; in Holland, Protestant Germany, and Russia, in 1700; and in Sweden in 1753.\u201d3<\/h3>\n

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 <\/p>\n

\u2018Long ere the lingering dawn of that blithe morn<\/h3>\n

Which ushers in the year, the roosting cock,<\/h3>\n

Flapping his wings, repeats his larum shrill;<\/h3>\n

But on that morn no busy flail obeys<\/h3>\n

His rousing call; no sounds but sounds of joy<\/h3>\n

Salute the year \u2013 the first-foot\u2019s entering step,<\/h3>\n

That sudden on the floor is welcome heard,<\/h3>\n

Ere blushing maids have braided up their hair;<\/h3>\n

The laugh, the hearty kiss, the good new year<\/h3>\n

Pronounced with honest warmth.\u00a0 In village, grauge,<\/h3>\n

And borough town, the steaming flagon, borne<\/h3>\n

From house to house, elates the poor man\u2019s heart,<\/h3>\n

And makes him feel that life has still its joys.<\/h3>\n

The aged and the young, man, woman, child,<\/h3>\n

Unite in social glee; even stranger dogs,<\/h3>\n

Meeting with bristling back, soon lay aside<\/h3>\n

Their snarling aspect, and in sportive chase,<\/h3>\n

Excursive scour, or wallow in the snow.<\/h3>\n

With sober cheerfulness, the grandma eyes<\/h3>\n

Her offspring round her, all in health and peace;<\/h3>\n

And, thankful that she\u2019s spared to see this day<\/h3>\n

Return once more, breathes low a secret prayer,<\/h3>\n

That God would shed a blessing on their heads.\u2019<\/h3>\n

Grahame.4<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Staying up until midnight to cheer Happy New Year has been a custom for quite some time.\u00a0 New Year\u2019s resolutions have been made by many for some time also.\u00a0 \u201cThe merrymakings of New-Year\u2019s Eve and New-Year\u2019s Day are of very ancient date in England.\u201d5\u00a0 Toasting a drink on New Year\u2019s Eve is also an old custom.\u00a0 \u201cA double-handled flagon full of sweetened and spiced wine being handed to the master, or other person presiding, he drinks standing to the general health, as announced by the toastmaster; then passes it to his neighbor on the left hand, who drinks standing to this next neighbor, also standing, as so on it goes, till all have drunk.\u201d6\u00a0 We are going to once again turn to explanations regarding why New Year\u2019s Day is on the 1st<\/sup> of January.<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe ancient Egyptians began their year on September 21, the date of the autumn equinox, and the ancient Greeks began their year on June 21, the date of the summer solstice.\u00a0 For a short time December 25 was the date of the beginning of the year in New England.\u201d7\u00a0 \u201cAfter December 25 had been fixed as the day of the nativity, the church made January 1 a religious festival in commemoration of the circumcision of Jesus.\u201d8\u00a0 \u201cIt was on account of the orgies which accompanied the recurrence of the winter solstice not only among the Romans but among the Teutonic races that the early Christians looked with scant favor upon the whole season.\u00a0 By the fifth century, however, the 25 of December had become a fixed festival commemorative of our Lord\u2019s Nativity, whereupon the 1st<\/sup> of January assumed a specially sacred character as the octave of Christmas Day and the anniversary of Christ\u2019s circumcision.\u201d14\u00a0 It should well be noted that according to the Holy Scriptures males where circumcised eight days after they were born.\u00a0 Including the 25th<\/sup> of December it would be indeed eight days later New Year\u2019s Day.\u00a0 However, we know that Jesus was not born on the 25th<\/sup> of December.\u00a0 In fact this might explain why Christmas is celebrated on the 25th<\/sup> of December, rather than on the winter solstice\u2019s actual date of December 21st<\/sup>.<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Luke 1:59a\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other Presidents used to open his house to receive people.\u00a0 According to a Senator at the time, \u201cMade the President the compliments of the season; had a hearty shake of the hand. \u00a0I was asked to partake of the punch and cakes, but declined.\u00a0 I sat down and we had some chat.\u00a0 But the diplomatic gentry and foreigners coming in, I embraced the first vacancy to make my bow and wish him a good morning.\u201d9<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAmong the Romans, after the reformation of the calendar, the first day of January, as well as the entire month, was dedicated to the eponymic god Janus.\u00a0 He was represented with two faces, on looking forward, the other backward, to indicate that he stood between the old and the new year, with a regard to both.\u00a0 Throughout January the Romans offered sacrifices to Janus upon twelve altars.\u201d11\u00a0 \u201cOvid and other Latin writers of the Empire allude to the suspension of all litigation and strife, the reconciliation of differences between friends, the smoking altars and the white-robed processions to the Capitol, upon the first day of Janus, or New Year\u2019s Day as we now call it.\u00a0 They also tell of the exchanging of visits, the giving and receiving of presents, the masquerading and the feasting, with which in their time the day was celebrated throughout the Roman Empire.\u201d12<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was also a custom of handing out gifts on New Year\u2019s Day in parts of Europe.\u00a0 People used to give gifts to the royalty, there were also those who would go door to door (usually a group of boys) to get money or food.\u00a0 Gifts would also be handed out to certain guests at their home.\u00a0 \u201cThe stenae (gifts) were not only exchanged between relatives and friends, but were exacted by the Emperors from their subjects.\u00a0 Eventually they became so onerous a burden to the people that Claudius limited their cost by a decree.\u201d13\u00a0 However the Druids all had done this.\u00a0 \u201cThe Druids distributed branches of the sacred mistletoe, cut with peculiar ceremonies, as New Year\u2019s gifts to the people.\u201d10\u00a0 \u201cThe Persians celebrated the beginning of the year by exchanging presents of eggs.\u201d16\u00a0 However this custom of gift giving, at least nowadays, does not exist in America.\u00a0 \u201cThe custom of exchanging presents on New Year\u2019s, though in Anglo-Saxon countries it has been largely superseded by the giving of Christmas-gifts, is still retained in France and the Latin countries (as when this was written).\u201d15<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

As a Christian you should understand that all of our months, days of the week and named after Roman gods.\u00a0 After all it is the Roman calendar that most of the world uses today.\u00a0 So this study of New Year\u2019s Day has perhaps revealed the reason for December 25 being selected as the celebrated birthday of Jesus, if nothing else.\u00a0 Truly many in our society celebrate New Year\u2019s Eve with drunkenness and all other sorts of debauchery.\u00a0 Perhaps our generation is worse in many respects than those past societies of old?<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

References:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. \n

    The Book of Days, Chambers, 1879<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  2. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  3. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  4. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  5. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  6. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  7. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  8. \n

    Ibid<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  9. \n

    Unknown Source<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  10. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  11. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  12. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  13. \n

    Curiosities of Popular Customs, Walsh, 1897<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  14. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  15. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  16. \n

    Ibid.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Bible Study Supplement\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 New Year\u2019s Day\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Historical Study   We are going to take a relatively comprehensive look at the origins of New Year\u2019s Day.\u00a0 This historical study will also include some information on New Year\u2019s Eve as these two go hand and hand.\u00a0 We will specifically look at the historical origins of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1328],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-holiday"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4241"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4243,"href":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241\/revisions\/4243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allwillstand.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}