New Year’s Day
I grew up believing New Year’s Day is on the 1st of January. When I started a habit of reading my Bible through in a year, I discovered that God says the year starts at Passover or 1st of Nisan. In Malaysia I discovered other New Year’s Days..
Biblical New Year: this starts the month of the Exodus of the Hebrews out of Egypt. The whole book of Exodus tells this story. In modern days the Biblical New Year starts on 1 Nisan which is the month of the Passover, Passover being on the 14th. The year begins when the first new moon of spring is sighted. It is also called the head of the months or Rosh Chodashim. http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Spring_Holidays/Rosh_Chodashim/rosh_chodashim.html
The month of Nisan was first called Abib. http://www.wildernesschurch.com/articles/calendar.htm
After the Babylonian exile the name changed to Nisan. The Jews began to the months by the names commonly used in exile as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in bringing them out of exile and back to their land.
Exodus 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year for you.
Western New Year: Christians generally follow the Roman calendar and start the year on 1 January. This is the Julian/Gregorian calendar and has no Biblical basis and not related to spring. http://www.wildernesschurch.com/articles/calendar.htm
Islamic/Muslim New Year: This is a lunar calendar of 12 months, but not synchronized with the seasons. It is used to date events in many Muslim Countries with Gregorian calendar and are used to determine the proper days on which to fast Ramadan or celebrate other holy days and festivals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_calendar
Indian New Year: Due to different cultures and beliefs, New Year’s Day is celebrated at different times of the year at different places. Many seem to relate the day to spring. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_New_Year's_days
Chinese New Year: It is also know as the Spring Festival/ Chūnjié, /春節. It ends with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day. Before New Year’s Day the Chinese will buy presents, food, new clothes, decorations for their homes and also give their homes a good clean out. Any ill-fortune is swept away to make way for good incoming luck. They will also decorate doorframes and windows with red paper cut-outs and couplets with themes of good fortune or happiness. On New Year’s Eve the families gather for a reunion dinner. This lasts till at least midnight when firecrackers are set off. The next day children receive money in red paper envelopes. The Chinese tradition is to reconcile, forgive and forget and to wish peace and happiness for everyone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year
