Happy New Year!
Ending the old year and starting the new one
I’d like to wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
The Japanese greet each other in the new year by saying “Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu,” which means, literally, “Congratulations, it started [or opened],” but is usually translated as “Happy New Year.”
I read an article recently that suggested New Year’s Day is just another day, why treat it differently from any other day? I resent that kind of thinking. I need my special days.
Speaking of special, did you notice that 12/31/23 can be broken down to read 123123? If that is not the sign of an auspicious day, I don’t know what is. And to my way of thinking, if the end of one year is special, the beginning of the next must be extra special.
Like the Japanese, we like to observe the end of the year in quiet reflection. No fireworks or loud noises like our neighbors and much of the country seem to prefer. We spend some time reminiscing about the highlights of the previous year using our journals to jog our memories.
We prepare a special meal on New Year’s Eve.
Last night we enjoyed gyoza, kimchi, rice, and some Japanese pickles; then watched a couple of episodes of “Seinfeld.” No, we did not stay up to see the ball drop. In fact, we went to bed rather early at around 9:00.
We will start the year by watching the Rose Parade and having a light lunch, perhaps ham and cheese sandwiches (since we had ham for Christmas.)
I like to start my day early. I get up before sunrise, and get my devotion time in while the house is still quiet, not that it is ever very noisy with just us two old codgers living here. It is my morning “brainwashing” time. I call it that because I have a mind like my office. It gets pretty dirty if I don’t clean it from time to time. I wash my mind by filling it with good stuff.
I’m no saint, but I’ve developed a habit over the past quarter century of spending the first hour or so of my day, most days, with the Lord. I read from a couple of devotion books that contain passages from the Bible. They encourage me in my walk with the Lord and give me guidance. I do some journaling through which I have “conversations” with the Lord. He speaks to me via my reading, and I speak to him in my journaling.
This morning, January 1, was no different; though I did start a new (to me) devotion book titled “Daily Texts: 2024.” It was provided by our church for use in our daily devotions. There is a line on the cover that says:
“Bible texts selected annually by the Moravian Church and shared worldwide since 1731.”
I also use “Our Daily Bread,” which is available online. Today’s reading includes:
“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, [NIV]).”
Isn’t that what New Year’s is about, us becoming NEW creations? Isn’t that why we make resolutions and struggle to keep them? We want to be new creatures. And if we let him, God will transform us into the likeness of his son Jesus.
A final source I include is the day’s reading from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. When I read Sarah’s meditations, I hear God speaking to me through her words.
Getting back to New Years, my resolution for this year is to do my best, with God’s help, to continue in the good habit that I’ve developed, and to encourage others to do likewise.
I call my morning time with God my Quiet Time or simple QT.
My prayer for me is that I will continue this tradition. My prayer for you, if you don’t already have a devotion time each day, that you start one. My life has changed radically since I started this routine. I’m betting yours will, too.
God bless and Happy New Year (Akemashita Omedetou gozaimus!)
