Happy… New Year
Here I go again, diving into the nuance of words and language, and reflecting on the inherent irony of colloquialisms.
Take the phrase “Happy New Year!”
What do we really mean when we say it? Is it a simple declaration shouted in unison as the clock strikes midnight on December 31st? A kind of wish or command? Or perhaps it’s more of a hope— a belief that if we repeat it often enough, the next 365 days will somehow be free from harm or misfortune?
And what about the word “happy”? What does it even mean to be “happy”? (Cue the classic “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music…)
One thing’s certain: if we don’t have a clear understanding of what we’re aiming for, we can easily miss the mark. If we don’t know what “happiness” really looks like, how can we know when we’ve found it?
Happy New Year!
Why am I not surprised that one of the most melancholic and confusing songs sung at the turn of a new year is Auld Lang Syne? It’s a song with layers of meaning, and honestly, unpacking its full depth would take far too much time. The poem’s intent is likely lost to history, but like a Rorschach test, the song has come to mean many things to many people.
As we age, we often realize that wisdom and happiness don’t always walk hand in hand. Sometimes, they’re barely within earshot of each other. And (with all due respect to John Locke and Thomas Jefferson), I’ve come to believe that the pursuit of happiness is like a puppy chasing its tail—endless and often elusive.
What I need, though, is not just happiness, but a blessing. Not a fleeting wish or a hollow hope, but a blessing—a tangible gift that’s solid and real, like a check written with sufficient funds. This is what I long for.
A Blessing, Not Just a Wish
Thankfully, we don’t have to chase blessings aimlessly. The target for our desires has already been established—from eternity. God gave Moses clear instructions on how to speak a blessing to a group of people He had set apart:
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
‘The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.’”
— Numbers 6:22-26 (NIV)
Now, before anyone says, “That was for them, not for us,” let’s pump the brake and pause. The focus here is not on the specific blessing, but on the One capable of blessing. This is the heart of the passage: “So they will put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Don’t miss that: “I will bless them!”
When we reflect on these words, a new year—or any new beginning, really—comes into sharper focus. It’s not just about hoping for good things, it’s about recognizing that the source of all blessings is from God.
As the Apostle James puts it:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
— James 1:17 (NIV)
This is what gives me peace, even when life and the world feels chaotic. The One who is steady, unchanging and full of light gives good gifts. And those gifts—whether they’re tangible blessings or the deep peace we long for—come from Him.
So, what does “Happy New Year” really mean? It means more than just words. It’s a reminder that God is the source of all good things, and He offers His blessings freely. Not just for the Israelites, but for all of us.
Happy New Year! May you experience the fullness of His blessings this year, and always.
Categories: Acts17seventeen Christian Christianity Community Follower Of Jesus
Pastor Mark
Mark, the eighth of nine children born to Reuben and Henrietta Meeks—dedicated church planters with nearly 30 congregations established across California’s Central Valley—is a preacher's kid who grew up immersed in faith and service. With over forty years of experience teaching, discipling, and ministering to communities, including the hospitalized and incarcerated, Mark responded to God's call to pastoral ministry. He holds degrees in civil engineering and public administration, as well as a Master’s in Theology from Fuller Seminary, equipping him to serve with both practical insight and spiritual depth.
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