It's a new year and my Facebook and Twitter feeds are filled with everyone reflecting on the past year and wishing an even better upcoming year for themselves and their loved ones. That's all fine, but then I take a second and notice the people on my list who share the same religious beliefs that I do. I know we all believe that we are to be in the world but not of it. And I remembered that at Christmas, there was not a peep from anyone about well wishes, but on December 31/ January 1 it's all about well wishes and reflections. I'm not saying all my church family is guilty of this, but some are. And it confuses me and got me thinking.
The beginning of the sacred calendar for those who share my beliefs is at the Passover, the beginning of spring and new life, which generally falls around the same time as Easter, but no one wishes anyone a "Happy New Year" (at least not how they do it on Facebook this time around). The beginning of the secular Roman calendar is as we know January 1. We also know that New Years Celebrations are pagan to us because it isn't the new year for one and also, these celebrations were dedicated to the god Janus (of whom January is named after). He was the god of gates, doors and new beginnings, and he had two faces; one looking forward and one looking back (this may explain the notion of making of new goals and starting over so to speak). So in my opinion, New Years' celebrations are just as pagan as that of Easter or Christmas, and true Christians should not be involved in it all. I mean isn't that being hypocritical and double standard?
True Christians talk about God's view on mixing worship and His people being involved in pagan practices. In Jeremiah 10:2, it clearly states "learn not the way of the heathen". Is not making resolutions, reflecting on the year that was, going out to drink and ring in the New Year all apart of learning the ways of the heathen?
Another verse Hosea 9:1, says that we should not party away our lives with the heathen; which day of the year does everyone typically want to go out and party?
I mean, I'm not condemning anyone for what they do, but I do have to wonder about myself and those who are my brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all striving to live blameless lives so that one day we may be counted worthy of the Kingdom, and so we have to take time to really think about these seemingly simple things. Satan is the prince of this world and he has found ways to mix truth with lies soooo well over the years and many of us are innocently deceived (myself included).
These were just some thoughts that occurred to me last night as my friends inquired about my plans for the evening. We all learn at different paces as well, so like I said I'm not condemning anyone, for I too was in the hype just last year and would have been into it as well this year but plans changed and I wasn't in the mood anymore. So I spent the time just thinking about everything and did some research instead. But everything happens for a reason, and I'm happy I stayed home!
No comments:
Post a Comment