Why Celebrate New Year?

I'm not crazy about watching the ball fall in Times Square--I'm usually tired and my pragmatic side takes over saying, "go to bed!" But, I do plan to celebrate God's care in 2009 and think about His promises for 2010.Did you know that being filled with joy, having fun, and celebrating special events is God's idea? Back in the Old Testament, God told the Israelites to celebrate on a regular basis. He wants us to be joyful because He knows that "the joy of the Lord is your strength." We're made to enjoy (see that joy word?) the good things in life: family, friends, good food, fun and relaxation. These things, and many more, are God's gifts given to bless and encourage us as we go through life.There is a deeper source of joy, however. It's the joy the Lord gives us when we remember that He cares, He knows our exact situation right now, the struggles we have, or fears about 2010. Joy comes when we cherish the fact that we matter to God, we have worth, we belong to Him, we have a purpose, and we have capabilities that He has given to us to discover and use in the days ahead.Why do you celebrate the New Year? How do you do it? I'd love to know.I celebrate it because I know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and His faithfulness and blessings are going to be there in the coming year. Being confident of this, I'm planning to "Rejoice in the Lord and be glad" when that ball falls at midnight on New Year's eve!Poppy Smith: www.poppysmith.com email: poppy@poppysmith.com