So, with all the fuss about making resolutions, do you
know how it actually came about? Why do we celebrate the beginning of a new year?
What do they do in other countries? And, what is that song?
OK. Quickie history lesson.
New Year’s was first
celebrated about 153 B.C. on a variety of dates, from December 25
th
to March 25
th. Julius Cesar
ended the confusion and officially named January 1
st as the
beginning day of the year, using a calendar based on the sun. This is
appropriate because Janus, the god of beginnings, is associated with the month
of January and was known for having one face looking forward and one face
looking back, much like the new year itself.
Ancient Romans would often give gifts to symbolize
prosperity and asking past enemies for forgiveness. It was the ancient
Babylonians, however, that instituted the idea of a resolution and early
Christians used the concept to think about past mistakes and to promise to try
harder in the New Year.
You’ve seen the cameras fly all over the world on New
Year’s Eve to show us the stroke of midnight in other countries but do you know
what they do to celebrate traditionally? In Spain, eating 12 grapes at midnight
is said to ring 12 months of happiness. In Japan, Buddhist temples strike a
gong 108 times at midnight to expel 108 weaknesses of the human spirit. In the Netherlands, they pile all the
Christmas trees in the street and have a massive bonfire to eliminate the old
and usher in the new. And, in Scotland, they sing “that” song. The one everyone
tries to sing on
New Year’s Eve, but no one knows the real words. Not even the
people living in Scotland.
Written in 1796 by Robert Burns, “Auld Lang Syne” was
not originally meant for New Year’s Eve. The infamous bandleader, Guy Lombardo,
happened to play it at the stroke of midnight one year and a new tradition was
born. The words? Here you go:
Should auld acquaintance be
forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be
forgot,
And auld lang syne.
CHORUS: For auld lang syne,
my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of
kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!
And surely ye'll be your
pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll take a cup o
kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!
We twa hae run about the
braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a
weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl'd in the
burn,
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid
hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.
And there's a hand my
trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right
guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
Holidays 
