As the clock hands move slowly and inexorably to coincide on the numeral XII at midnight December 31, 2004, the world stands poised to launch a wild celebration; the giant ball in Times Square, New York City, starts to drop as millions gather in the streets to watch and cheer; the Boston Pops Orchestra approaches the climax of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with canons booming and fireworks blazing; around the world in large cities such as London, Paris, and Moscow pyrotechnic displays dazzle the eyes. In oriental countries the New Year is a memorable event and thousands of dollars are spent on fireworks to celebrate. I can remember the thunderous roar all over the island of Oahu as millions of firecrackers were ignited. But what happens between 11:59 PM and 12:01 AM? What changes besides some numbers on the calendar? Actually, nothing has changed; it is all a big psychological binge. Oh, there are numerous wishes for a 'Happy New Year' and the mailman delivers bags of greeting cards, but when it comes right down to it, it is the same old world. Time marches on toward some climactic event; the seconds, minutes and hours add up to days, weeks, months and years as the future comes into view and the present fades into the past. So what is new inevitably becomes old. The New Year is merely an arbitrary event that enables us to keep track of history.
However, as we celebrate the passing of another year, we are given the opportunity to reflect on our past mistakes and successes and to look with hope or foreboding to the future. If we can learn lessons from the past and make desirable resolutions for the future, then this yearly exercise can be a profitable experience. It is good to look both directions. "Always look both ways before crossing the street," was a constant reminder from Mother. Once I was in a hurry and forgot to follow instructions. As I leaped off of the school bus and started to cross a busy street, I neglected to see an oncoming car. This was before the day of flashing red lights to warn passing motorists. The next thing I knew I was lying on the pavement with people screaming. Fortunately, I was not seriously injured and continued to my class, albeit a tad late. So, the New Year is a good time to reflect and to plan.
Solomon said that there is nothing new under the sun because what we call new is really not new but just reassembling of what is old. Also, what may be new almost instantly becomes old. Drive a new car off the lot and it is immediately a used car and has lost about $1,000 in value. But God's definition of new is different. A person in Christ is a new person; there will be a new heavens and a new earth; we will have new names, new houses, new bodies, and will sing a new song. In fact, in God's new world there will be nothing old; everything will be "eternally new."
