Are New Year Celebrations Pagan in Origin?

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Spike Mafford/Photodisc/Thinkstock

Are New Year Celebrations Pagan in Origin?

“Simply put, the answer is yes—New Year celebrations did originate in paganism.

Much of the symbolism associated with New Year’s celebrations today has very definite pagan origins.

In the earliest days of the Church (the first and second centuries after Christ) there were no such celebrations as Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The New Catholic Encyclopedia states: “According to the hypothesis . . . accepted by most scholars today, the birth of Christ was assigned the date of the winter solstice (December 25 in the Julian [Roman] Calendar, January 6 in the Egyptian), because on this day, as the sun began to return to northern skies, the pagan devotees of Mithra celebrated dies natalis Solis Invicti (birthday of the invincible sun)” (1967, Vol. 3, p. 656).

Those customs carried over in the observance of Christmas (with its many traditions and practices steeped in paganism), and the “birth” of the “new year” of the sun. This is why the Roman calendar in use today designates Jan. 1 as the beginning of the new year as opposed to God’s designation of the spring month of Abib or Nisan on the Hebrew calendar as the beginning of the year (Exodus 12:1-2).

Much of the symbolism associated with New Year’s celebrations today has very definite pagan origins. Kissing at the moment of transition to the next year is rooted in pagan sexual practice and superstition. And evergreen wreaths associated with Christmas were originally part of the pagan Calend celebration of Jan. 1.

Because we live in this secular society and most of the world operates according to the commonly used Roman calendar, it’s common to think of a new calendar year as beginning Jan. 1. Yet involvement in the celebration of that is not appropriate.

That said, one should be careful not to become too judgmental if, for example, someone is viewing a football game or parade at that time of year—as opposed to actually celebrating a New Year festival.

If you’d like to learn more, many resources are available that show the pagan origins of New Year’s Day celebrations. You can find related material in reference encyclopedias and online research resources as well.”  From:  https://www.ucg.org/learn/bible-questions-and-answers/are-new-year-celebrations-pagan-origin

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It is Not OK! The Lamb of God

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The Lamb of God

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

The unblemished lambs sacrificed in the Old Testament could not take away sin. They were only a reminder of Jesus Christ’s true purity and innocence. As our Creator (John 1:3), His life is worth far more than all human lives combined. Only His death could pay all the penalties and truly remove sin from those who repent.

The apostle Paul referred to Jesus Christ in a similar way. “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Passover lambs, along with all the other sacrificial lambs, represented the sacrifice of Christ.

Study more about the Lamb of God and His sacrifice in our article “Sacrifice of Jesus.”  To listen to the "Verse by Verse" episode covering this scripture go to: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/the-lamb-of-god-1/

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“In Everything Give Thanks” (Really?)

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“In Everything Give Thanks” (Really?)

“Paul wrote some inspiring and beautiful sentiments, such as, “In everything give thanks.” But is that literally realistic?

Paul exhorts us to give thanks in everything. Really? Everything? Christians experience some truly awful, unfair and distressing things. Terminal illnesses. Accidents. Deaths of loved ones. Financial hardships. Trials and temptations of all kinds.

Did Paul mean to give thanks for these things?

The context of “in everything give thanks”

Soon after Paul had established the congregation in Thessalonica, he was driven from town by threats of an angry mob. His first letter to the Thessalonians was written soon after this to answer questions and encourage the young church facing persecution and mourning the loss of members who had died.

Paul set the tone by letting the Thessalonians know that he gave “thanks to God always for you all” (1 Thessalonians 1:2).

Part of Paul’s concluding exhortation included:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (5:16-18; see also our articles “Four Ways to Find Joy in Trials” and “Pray Without Ceasing”).

Thanks in, not necessarily thanks for

Paul said to give thanks “in everything”—in every situation. That doesn’t mean we must immediately feel gratitude for the bad things that happen to us.

For example, Job blessed God in spite of his terrible trials, not for them (Job 1:13-22).

King David, also, in the midst of feeling overwhelmed with trials (Psalm 69:1-2) still said, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving” (verse 30).

How do we give thanks in everything?

See the eternal benefit of trials

Even our trials can help develop our Christian character, making us more like God and preparing us for our eternal destiny.

Trials produce perseverance, character and hope (Romans 5:3-4). They are the crucible for refining genuine faith (1 Peter 1:6-8). They allow the growth of the fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).

Focus on the gifts from the Giver of every good gift

All of the good things we have are ultimately from God, but we can so easily take them for granted in the good times. Paul encourages us to pray with thanksgiving and focus on the positive (Philippians 4:6-8).

And lifting our eyes to focus on our Creator and His future plans for us can help us transcend our current troubles. We can’t fully imagine what wonders God has in store, but His Holy Spirit can help give us a vision of the wonderful future.

God is the Giver of “every good gift and every perfect gift” (James 1:17). He wants to give us forgiveness, His Spirit and eternal life (John 3:16-17; Acts 2:38). He wants us to serve the rest of humanity with Him (Revelation 5:10). He wants us to be His children and to experience joy and pleasures forevermore (1 John 3:1-2; Psalm 16:11)!

The ultimate perspective

Paul put things in perspective: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17; see also Romans 8:31-39).

The comparatively short time trials afflict us now is nothing compared to living forever as God’s children!

Study more in our articles “What Is the Real Purpose of Life?” and “Praise God.” From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/christian-living/in-everything-give-thanks-really/?

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