Every year, as December 31st fades into January 1st, the world erupts in celebration. Streets fill with people, music, laughter, and fireworks streak across the sky. Parties carry on into the night, and resolutions are written with hope, determination, and a desire to start fresh. On the surface, it looks like a new beginning, but from God’s perspective, what is being celebrated is only a human invention, a calendar created for convenience, politics, and social order, not for obedience to Him. Man’s New Year celebrates novelty, personal goals, or social tradition, but it has no covenant, no redemption, and no spiritual authority.
YHWH, however, commands a different reckoning of time. He does not leave His people to follow human invention. In Shemot (שְׁמוֹת, “Names,” Exodus) 12:2, God spoke to Moses regarding the timing of the first month of the year:
זֶה לָכֶם חֹדֶשׁ רֹאשׁ חֳדָשִׁים הוּא רִאשׁוֹן לַחֹדֶשׁ לָכֶם (zeh lachem chodesh rosh chadashim hu rishon la-chodesh lachem, “This month shall be to you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you”)
The Hebrew chodesh (חֹדֶשׁ, “new moon, month”) is tied to the lunar cycle, not the solar calendar that governs January 1st. God’s first month, Aviv (אָבִיב, “Ripening/Barley Month,” later called Nisan), is the month of redemption, the month in which He delivered Israel from Egypt, marked by the Passover. God does not merely offer a suggestion; His timing establishes a pattern for obedience and spiritual alignment.
To understand this, consider the role of a shepherd. The shepherd cares for his flock, setting gates, leading them to water at appointed times, and marking the season to shear their wool. If the sheep wander according to their own sense of time, they may graze, they may play, but they miss the care and provision that the shepherd intended. Likewise, YHWH ordains His seasons and appointed times (mo‘edim (מוֹעֲדִים, “appointed times, set seasons”)) to guide His people, not to control for control’s sake, but to protect, bless, and shape them. Our obedience to His timing reflects our acknowledgment that He alone rules life, seasons, and redemption.
Leviticus 23:4–5 reinforces this principle: אֵלֶּה מוֹעֲדֵי יְהוָה מִקְרָאֵי קֹדֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר תִּקְרָאוּ בָּהֶם מִקְרָאֵי קֹדֶשׁ
(elleh mo‘adei YHWH mikra’ei kodesh asher tikre’u bahem mikra’ei kodesh, “These are the appointed times of YHWH, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed season”)
God’s calendar is not optional; observing it is an act of obedience and covenantal fidelity. The secular New Year, while socially significant, teaches nothing about redemption or covenant and carries no divine authority. Celebrating man’s calendar without recognizing God’s appointed times is like counting the hours while ignoring the shepherd’s voice, it misses the rhythm of His care and command.
Yeshua (Jesus) further affirmed the importance of God’s timing when He said in Mark (Μᾶρκος, “Mark”) 1:15: וַיֹּאמֶר כִּי מָלֵא הַזְּמַן וּמַלְכוּת הָאֱלֹהִים קָרֻבָה, הִתְחַדְּלוּ וַהֲאֱמִינוּ בַּבְּשׂוֹרָה
(Vayomer ki maleh ha-zman u-malkhut ha-Elohim karuvah, hitchadlu va-he’eminū ba-besorah,“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near; repent and believe in the good news”)
The Hebrew zman (זְמָן, “appointed time, season”) and Greek kairos(καιρός, “divinely appointed moment”) communicate that God ordains moments for spiritual growth, renewal, and obedience. True new beginnings are not marked by fireworks or champagne, they are marked by a heart that aligns with God’s order.
We can also look at the symbolism in God’s appointed New Year. Aviv (אָבִיב) occurs when the barley ripens in the land of Israel. This is a natural sign, set by God, indicating a time of harvest and new life. Spiritual lessons are embedded in creation itself: the cycles of sowing, ripening, and reaping reflect our journey of faith, repentance, and obedience. Just as the earth obeys God’s seasons, we are called to honor His appointed times.
Practically, what does this mean for believers today? We do not ignore the secular New Year, but we do not elevate it above God’s command. Instead, we prepare for Aviv/Nisan (אָבִיב/נִיסָן,“Ripening/ Barley Month”), reflecting on God’s faithfulness, recounting His acts of redemption, and committing ourselves to walk in covenant obedience. This can be as simple as studying the scriptures, meditating on God’s promises, and dedicating time to worship during the month that begins His sacred calendar.
Man’s calendar measures days, weeks, and months by political convenience. YHWH’s calendar measures faithfulness, redemption, and spiritual readiness. The secular New Year cannot bless or curse a life, it can only pass like any other day. But observing God’s appointed time brings alignment with His will, protection under His authority, and participation in His covenant.
Every believer who steps into the month of Aviv (אָבִיב) with reverence is walking in God’s rhythm. Every heart that remembers His deliverance is actively obeying. Every soul that honors His appointed times is acknowledging the Creator’s authority over all of life. The lesson is clear: God’s calendar reigns, whether mankind celebrates it or not. Obedience matters. Covenant does matter. True renewal comes from aligning with the One who set the times, YHWH.
Here’s a clear, side-by-side teaching chart comparing Man’s New Year and God’s Appointed New Year. It includes dates, Hebrew/Aramaic/Greek words, meanings, symbolism, and obedience instructions.
| Aspect | Man’s New Year | God’s Appointed New Year |
|---|---|---|
| Date | January 1 (civil/solar calendar) | First month of the Hebrew year: Aviv/Nisan(אָבִיב/נִיסָן, “Ripening/Barley Month”) |
| Basis | Roman calendar, human invention | Lunar cycle as commanded by YHWH |
| Scriptural Reference | None, cultural tradition | Shemot (Exodus) 12:2, “This month shall be to you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you” (chodesh (חֹדֶשׁ, “new moon, month”)) |
| Purpose/Focus | Social celebration, parties, resolutions, personal goals | Redemption, covenant remembrance, spiritual alignment, obedience to YHWH |
| Symbolism | Fun, novelty, human new beginnings | Barley ripening = new life, harvest, God’s timing; divine order over creation |
| Spiritual Authority | None; man-centered | Fully God-centered; observing it is obedience and covenantal fidelity (mo‘edim (מוֹעֲדִים, “appointed times, set seasons”)) |
| Observance Outcome | Social joy, personal motivation; spiritually neutral | Spiritual realignment, remembrance of God’s deliverance, participation in covenant, honoring God’s authority |
| New Testament Connection | None | Mark 1:15: “The time (zman (זְמָן, appointed time/season)) is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near; repent and believe” (kairos (καιρός, divinely appointed moment)) |
| Practical Application | Attend parties, set resolutions | Prepare spiritually in Aviv/Nisan: study scripture, worship, remember redemption, align life with God’s timing |
| Key Lesson | Man’s calendar is irrelevant to God | God’s appointed times reign regardless of human recognition; obedience matters |