It will be New Year’s day in a few days based on the Gregorian calendar which you are probably using. Of course, you all know that this was named after Pope Gregory when he introduced a new calendar system in 1582 to replace the Julian calendar which they believe the number of days in a year was too long. As a result, 10 days was removed from one year since that time.
This is not the case however under the Hebrew calendar which is based on the cycle of the moon. Their New Year usually falls on the month of September and they call it Rosh Hashanah. The Muslim calendar sets a separate date for their New Year which usually falls on either August or September based on lunar computation.
Meanwhile, since everything about Chinese is getting popular around here, everybody knows that the New Year under the traditional Chinese calendar falls between the last week of January to first week of February.
If you will notice, the date of the new year changes from year to year under the Hebrew, Muslim and Chinese Calendar, while in the Gregorian calendar, the date of the new year is fixed which is always on the first day of the first Month. There is a religious significance as to why the basis of computing the one month is based on the lunar cycle and it is changing but I’m still learning about it so let us just concentrate on the popular new year which is barely two days from now.
I expect that most of us will be very busy attending parties, reunions and other gatherings. Others will go on a shopping spree. Some will be going on vacation and travel. This explains why most people are too exhausted to report for work on the first working day on the new year. I guess only a few will take time to take a rest and give time for self-reflection or assessment of how the old year has been.
This looking back is what I do although not on a consistent basis because I too can easily be caught up with the yearend frenzy sometimes. However, I do take a look at my life to see how my mistakes, wrong turns and wrong decisions have caused damage not only to myself but to other people as well. I take time to lick my own wounds also and in the process, make some correction, restoration and adjustment in order not to do the same mistakes.
You might think this is just a mere New Year’s Resolution but you see, resolution making is superficial or physical that is why it is not effective. Jesus Christ said, our flesh is weak. It is corruptible. It lusts. Our spirit on the other hand, is willing. Willing to change, willing to move on and willing to keep us from sinning. Therefore, changing for the better and making ourselves a better person is more spiritual. We should focus more on strengthening our spirit. If we allow our spirit control of the flesh, then our new year’s resolution will not just last for a few days but it is more lasting.
I hope that by the time the dust settles and the smoke cleared from the new year’s festivities, we will not come out bruised and battered but come out standing strong and as a changed person. Renewed, refreshed and energized. More importantly, a better person.
