A Little History Behind The Celebration of the New Year and New Year’s Resolutions
2016 is here! The holidays are over. Winter has arrived with shorter days and dark and colder nights. The tendency to review the prior year and create a plan for the year ahead is on most to-do lists. This kind of thinking leads to the dreaded New Year’s resolution. It could be to resolve to exercise more, eat better, or kick the habits that are preventing us from enhancing our lives as we choose. All too often, these practices are short lived. We fall back into the ways of the previous year within a few short months or even weeks. Have you ever wondered where or why the idea of the New Year’s Resolution came from in the first place or why the New Year was decided to take place on January 1st?
Looking into this subject, I learned that the celebration of the New Year is one of the oldest holidays on record. It observance dates back to Babylon about 4,000 years ago. At that time the New Year was celebrated in late March and the celebration lasted 11 days. January 1st became the New Year in 46 B.C. by Julius Caesar in Rome. This was only true in cultures that used the 365 day solar calendar. The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the God of beginnings and ends and the protector of doorways, arches and gates. Janus had two faces, one on the front and one on the back of his head so he could simultaneously look into the past and the future. After a few changes, by the sixteenth century January 1st. was again decided on by Pope Gregory the XIII after his revision of the Julian Calendar.
Now that we know the origin of why the New Year is celebrated on January 1, let’s look at the concept of the New Year’s resolution. The tradition of New Year’s resolutions began in Rome and had mostly to do with seeking forgiveness from their enemies and doing good for others in the new year. The Romans also exchanged gifts on New Year’s Eve, usually gifting items that were believed to bring good fortune to the recipients. As early as the 17thcentury, the Puritans would skip the festivities of the holiday, but participated in the practice of reflection over the past year and contemplation of the year ahead. They then made resolutions like making better use of their talents, being charitable and avoiding sin.
The making of New Year’s resolutions today is one of personal choice. The historic reason behind them is far removed from the early days but nonetheless meaningful. I like to resolve to grow in the next year, to educate myself to become more knowledgeable, to continue my quest for good health and to support my husband and children on their journey to achieve personal happiness. What might yours be? Whatever it is, make it meaningful and lasting. A fresh start is offered to us at the beginning of every year. Make the most of it!
If considering Life Insurance or making sure you are receiving the most insurance at a price that you can afford is on your list of resolutions, give C.H. Edwards, Inc. a call and let us assist you on this path to growth. Call us at 516-249-5200. View our website at www.chedwards.net learn about us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chedwardsinsurance.
Happy New Year from your friends at C.H. Edwards, Inc., a family owned and operated Independent Insurance Agency in Farmingdale, New York.
Written by: Denise A. Visco
