Happy New Years – The Oldest of All Holidays

Posted on: December 28th, 2023 | By Cliff Keith | Blog, Holidays | No Comments

Happy New Years – The Oldest of All Holidays

Happy New Years - The Oldest of All Holidays

The History of New Years  which happens to be the oldest of all our holidays . It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring). The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1, however, has no astronomical or agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary. January 1 a holiday celebrated by Western nations for only about the past 400 years


Traditions

Traditions of the season include the making of New Year’s resolutions: That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian’s most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. New Years Day The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers. It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California.

 

Although the Rose Bowl football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, Roman chariot races replaced it the following year. In 1916, the football game returned as the sports centerpiece of the festival. The song, Auld Lang Syne, in almost every English-speaking country is what everyone sings at the stroke of midnight . At least partly written by Robert Burns in the 1700’s, it was first published in 1796 after Burns’ death. Early variations of the song before 1700 inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition.


The Song

An old Scottish tune, “Auld Lang Syne” literally means “old long ago,” or simply, “the good old days.” In my home my family celebrates Hogmanay (hog-mah-NAY), which is a Scottish New Year’s celebration. In my home a tradition “first footing”  is performed after midnight.  What happens is after midnight my wife sweeps the floor from the front of the house to the back door and sweeps out all the bad spirits from the previous year.  The family then runs to the front of the house clamoring upon the side of the house to scare away all evil spirits.

 

Once in front of the house we all enter the front door with a gift of a piece of coal or some short breads, which brings good luck for the coming year.  This is especially true if a tall, dark, handsome man is the first to enter the house or “first footing”.


My Best Wishes for YOU

I would like to wish you a Very Happy New Years!  May you prosper and have good health throughout 2018.  Thank you for your friendship over the years.  I appreciate it very much.  Cliff


What to do next?

Pick up your cell phone and call me immediately, 650-346-7366. When you we will discuss I can help you or any of your friends who have mentioned they are going to be selling their home. We will discuss the easiest way for you to introduce them to me. After all you want what is best for them don’t you? Call today.


 

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