Happy New Year---What Does It Mean?

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year........the first day of the first month of the incoming year; that's the day we think of when we send out this greeting.  We send wishes for new beginings, the potential, the hope, the expectations of that year.  I've often wondered just what we actually mean by those epitaphs.

 

Merriam-Webster online dictionary gives the following definitions of the word "potential" when used as an ADJECTIVE:

 

1: existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality

2: expressing possibility; specifically: of, relating to, or constituting a verb phrase expressing  possibility, liberty, or power

 

and as a NOUN:

 

1: something that can develop or become actual

 

The definitions for "hope" are:
 

1: to cherish a desire with anticipation

2: to desire with expectation of obtainment

3: to expect with confidence

4: desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment

5: expectation of fulfillment or success

 

Expectation is defined as:

 

1: to anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of

2: to consider probable or certain

3: to consider reasonable, due, or necessary

 

And, finally we have the definition of the word "new":

 

1: having recently come into existence 
2: different from one of the same category that has existed previously

And so we have the definitions of what might be considered the plans we make for each beginning year.  We have a cherished desire and look forward to the resumption of life and happiness in this year that we experienced in the last year, but with an assumed understanding that desired changes in the coming year are things that we can reasonably expect to become reality.

And where, or in whom, do we place our trust for our future dreams becoming a reality?  Is it in my power to earn money?  Is it in my ability to be a better person?  Is it in the people with whom I place my innermost thoughts and secrets?  Do I somehow expect them to be able to help me make reality out of dreams? 

Or, is it in the hope I have in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of my soul?  The One who redeemed my past, who redeems my present and who will redeem my future?  The Creator God who knows me from the inside out and who holds my furture in His hands.  He is the source of my expectations, my dreams, my desire to take up my life in 2013 and make better use of His blessings by seeking His will for my every move.

So, Happy New Year!  May you find your motivation to walk well with the Lord and live well His desires for us and His plan for our life.

"This means that anyone

who belongs to Christ

 has become a NEW person.

The old life is gone;

        a NEW life has begun!"     

 

2 Corinthians 5:17   (NLT)