Why Are YOU Celebrating New Year’s Eve?

One minute before midnight.

The party huddles closer together and the countdown begins.

Everyone holds a drink, usually champagne. Not sure why champagne became the de facto alcoholic beverage of choice for New Year’s Eve, but it works. The crowd always chants the final ten seconds.

“10-9-8.”

The music is turned down, with attention often focused on the television, as all the stations cover this night with passion. Bars and restaurants are packed. Homes and hotels are filled with family and friends.

“7-6-5.”

As many as one million crazed New Yorkers cram into Times Square to watch a ball drop down a pole, with another billion watching on TV. Since 1907, it has been the ball drop capital of the United States. But this is not limited to our country.

“4-3-2.”

The tension builds, ready to pop like the expensive and/or cheap bubbly in the bottle.

“1.”- Happy New Year!

Music blasts, fireworks explode, noisemakers reign, ballons and streamers fill the air, people hug and kiss.

Predictably, Auld Lang Syne plays. I am not sure what percent of the billion people watching and participating know or care why, or even what it means, but my guess is that it is a small number.

So, why the big celebration? Nothing of significance happens, except for the earth completing it’s orbit around the sun and immediately beginning another one. This has been going on for over 4.5 billion years, so it is nothing new. Therefore, is it really that big a deal? Afterall, it is much like every other night at that time. Barring a major asteroid hit, 12:01 am will be just like 11:01 pm, just one hour earlier, and 1:01 am will be the same, just one hour later.

But something significant must happen, right? The new year celebration has been going on with varying dates since at least 2000 BC, when the Babylonians thought it would be cool to do it twice per year. Not to be outdone, the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans started their own customs.

Folklore? Depending upon your heritage, there are ways to recognize this tradition properly. In Spain, twelve grapes are eaten; Columbians carry an empty suitcase around the block; Residents of Denmark throw old plates against the doors and windows; Brazilians put on red underwear, believing it might bring them love; Greeks hang an onion on the front door; In Ireland, families set a place at the dinner table for loved ones who passed that year.

Some celebrations come because of success. A big promotion or raise, a first job, a well-deserved retirement. A new home or a completed project. Perhaps your elation comes from others? A child’s engagement, wedding, or a grandchild. Or your favorite sports team finally winning the big game. I still have a bit of a hangover from the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016.

Maybe a bad year just ended. “I can’t wait until this year is over” is an old cliché. But the sentiment is clear and not uncommon. There are myriad reasons, but by virtue of reading this, congratulations! You survived it! You are a warrior! And if you did it once, you can do it again! But this time, you know what to expect. You know that you can be pushed to your breaking point and come through standing. Faith may be tested during challenging times, but I believe that it is essential.

Or it could be that the best reason to party on New Year’s Eve is simply to party on New Year’s Eve! A night where the biggest worry is if there is Tylenol available somewhere within reach the next day. Everyone is on the same team and it’s a winning night! The mood is festive and fun and hopefully, everyone gets along. Even politicians vow to put aside their snarky differences and commit to selflessly working together for the good of the people rather than their party. Wait, that’s April 1st , not December 31st . My bad.

Anyway, whatever your reasons for ringing in the new year, be it in a large crowd or small, here’s to hope, promise, happiness, and a wonderful trip around the sun!

Now that’s something to celebrate!