Is it a sin to celebrate the New Year?
Question:
Is it wrong to celebrate January 1st as being New Year's day? I recently saw a video stating that January 1st isn't New Year's day and the video goes as far as to imply that the whole global community celebrating January 1st as New Year's is sinning. If this is true, what makes celebrating New Year's on January 1st sinful? What does the Bible say about New Year's day? Also, I'm curious to know how did Israel of Moses' day view the starting of the year before the Roman calendar that we use now came along? Did not Israel view the starting of the year to be in spring? I'd greatly appreciate anything you can provide scripturally and other facts to help educate me on this matter.
Answer:
I looked for and found a video that fits your description. The logic in it reminded me of Why Fire Engines are Red. I'll try to provide a response that is a little easier to follow.
"Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness" (I John 3:4). Or, as the KJV puts it, "sin is the transgression of the law" (I John 3:4). In order for celebrating New Year's Day on January first to be sinful, there would need to be either a law stating the celebration must be on some other day or law stating that celebrating the new year is wrong.
The Bible has very little to say about new years. The beginning of the Jewish calendar was set in Exodus 12:1-2; however, God then goes on to set an annual celebration on the fourteenth of the month that has nothing to do with the year changing. There were special sacrifices set for every week (Numbers 28:9-10), and every first of the month (Numbers 28:11-15), but none for the new year.
Under the new covenant, there are only a few passages discussing holidays and other celebrations.
"Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks" (Romans 14:4-6).
"So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ" (Colossians 2:16-17).
So, is it a sin for people to celebrate New Year's Day on the first day of our calendar year? No, but it is a sin to judge others for holding a celebration. (This is not to say that you can celebrate in whatever way you choose. God has set standards of behavior for His people.)
I hope this is helpful to you.
Response:
Yes, that answer is very helpful, I'm sure! Thanks for your time. And that video is so funny, I will have to use that!
