2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
1 Peter 1:3“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Ephisians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
James 4:13-15
“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
The reason for a ball drop on New Year’s Eve by Wendy Mead;
On New Year’s Eve, people crowd around in New York City’s Time Square or huddle around their TV screens to watch the ball drop, signaling the end of one year and the beginning of the next. It’s a longstanding tradition to check out the descent of this glowing orb, but where on earth did all this come from?
The practice borrows from an early time-telling indicator that dates back to the 19th century. One of the earliest uses of a time ball began at England’s Royal Greenwich Observatory in 1833. There a ball was lowered every day at 1 p.m. to signal the time to captains of ships on the Thames River so that they could check it against their chronometers (via Britannica). The observatory inspired others to install their own time balls to let people know the time. Remember that during this era, clocks and watches were only for the wealthy. At its peak, there were approximately 150 time balls in use. Time balls eventually fell out of fashion as time-keeping technology became more affordable and accessible.
The practice of celebrating New Year’s Eve in Times Square started in 1904, but the practice of dropping a time ball to signal the beginning of the new year didn’t start until a few years later (via Times Square official site). This first New Year’s Eve served as a grand opening of sorts for The New York Times, which had moved into new headquarters there. At first, fireworks were set off to mark the occasion, but New York City decided to ban the practice two years later.
In 1907, the first New Year’s Eve ball made its debut in Times Square. This massive wood and iron structure, designed by Jacob Starr, weighed an impressive 700 pounds and was covered with 25-watt lights (via Britannica). A special pulley system was used to lower the ball. The celebratory ball has been dropped every year since, excluding 1942 and 1943 during which wartime light restrictions put a stop to the practice.
Over the years, the New Year’s Eve ball has gone through many transformations. The material used for the ball went from wood and iron to iron to aluminum. Its latest version is made of crystal, metal, and the latest in lighting technology. And the Times Square ball has inspired many other areas of the country to develop their own spin on the ball drop (according to Reader’s Digest). States like Georgia and Idaho launch the new year with the dropping of a peach and a potato, respectively.
Closing Prayer; “Lord, Whether we’re leaving behind a year of joy and blessing or trials and difficulties, we pause to give thanks. We thank you that you are always with us, every single day of every single year. Please remind us of your presence in the year ahead, even when life is busy.
Prayer of Salvation: Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior.Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and I know you will answer my prayers. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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