Most of you, at some point in the past, have studied how Christmas came to be celebrated on December 25th. It actually started as a pagan holiday (around the winter solstice), and involved worship of false gods. The early church sort of “stole” the holiday away, and now we celebrate the birth of Jesus. It feels sometimes like the pagans have taken back the holiday, but this is not a message about Christmas.
While I do think it’s important to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and to celebrate His resurrection on Easter, I believe the holiday that best exemplifies the Christian life is New Year’s Day. Why?
Think first about the principle of salvation. New Year’s Day is a time when you get a fresh start. When you trust in Jesus Christ as your savior, you become a brand new person:
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away;
behold, new things have come.
At the moment of salvation, you are a brand new person, with a fresh slate with God. Everything in your past life is washed away, just like 2007 will be completely gone.
Also, as a Christian, you should recognize the fresh start that’s available to you on a moment by moment basis. Paul even tells us to have this attitude:
Philippians 3:13-14
13 Brethren, I do not
regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting
what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward
the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
New Year’s is a time for us to put the past year behind us, and eagerly look forward to the coming year. As we celebrate the end of 2007 (believe me, nobody is happier to see it go than I am!), and look forward to 2008, let’s resolve to press on toward the goal!
Instead of resolving to lose weight, (that’s the number one resolution, according to recent polls) or to be a better person, or quit drinking or smoking, or start exercising, let’s make a realistic spiritual resolution.
Simply resolve to put God and His Word where they belong – first! New Year’s is a great opportunity to take that spiritual advice – forget what is behind, and reach forward to what lies ahead. God is not interested in your past!
You have a brand new, fresh opportunity to put your past behind you and live your life with Him at the center of it. That’s the only way you can make 2008 the best year of your life (so far!).
Happy New Year!