With the New Year just around the corner, and the most bizarre year ending; the majority of us are probably getting our minds on a better 2021. The beginning of a new year brings one thing for so many- resolutions. What is the source or New Years resolutions, though? Why are they such a tradition for the masses?
Reportedly the Babylonians were the first to celebrate the beginning of a year with resolution type goals. Some 4,000 years ago, though, the celebrations took place in March rather than January 1. This is when their crops were planted and the rationale for the year changing. Babylonians celebrated with a 12 day long festival called Akitu. They used this time to crown a new king, and make promises to their pagan gods. Ideally they believed this granted them favor for the new year amongst their gods. Historians consider this the first known evidence of New Years celebrations (and resolutions).
Many moons later in Rome, Julius Cesar made adjustments to the calendar and corrected to what we now consider the beginning of a year- January 1. The name January came from the Roman’s god “Janus”. Janus is described as a two headed creature with a spirit that hangs out in doorways and arches. Their theory was Janus’ two heads allowed him to look back at the past year and ahead to the new one. Their celebrations consisted of sacrifices to this god making promises to behaving appropriately in the coming year.
Christian leader John Wesley, founder of Methodism, started the Covenant Renewal Service in 1740. Sometimes called night watch services, these events were consisted of reflecting on the past and making resolutions for a better year ahead. Celebrations consisted of singing, praying, reading of Scripture, and was an alternative to the wild parties many others used to ring in the days ahead.
In 2021 not many will be sacrificing to the gods, if any at all, but so many will be excited to see 2020 end. A good portion of people will be making resolutions for things they want to accomplish in 2021, though. And what a fun thing to do knowing where the tradition came from.
