New Year’s Day—a time for parades, football games, and, yes, New Year’s resolutions! But did you know that it was Julius Caesar who put January 1 on the calendar? Named for the god of beginnings, Janus, it was a time for offering sacrifices for success in the coming year. In more modern times, in 1740, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, began conducting Covenant Renewal Services on New Year’s Eve.
They became known as “watch-night” services, for prayer and making “resolutions” for the year ahead. In one of John Wesley’s sermons he said: “Let me be homo unius libri . . . the man of one Book”—for Wesley it was a life-long resolution. In this coming year, we invite you to engage with the Bible—this book of all books!
They became known as “watch-night” services, for prayer and making “resolutions” for the year ahead. In one of John Wesley’s sermons he said: “Let me be homo unius libri . . . the man of one Book”—for Wesley it was a life-long resolution. In this coming year, we invite you to engage with the Bible—this book of all books!
Share
More Book Minute Features
January 27, 2020
The Washington Monument and Exodus 28:36
The Washington Monument, at 555 feet, is the tallest public structure in Washington, DC, and is located on the National Mall. It took thirty-six years...
January 20, 2020
Presidential Inaugurals and the Bible — Ronald Rea...
At a news conference shortly after his 1985 inauguration, Ronald Reagan said; “I’ve found that the Bible contains an answer to just about everything a...
January 13, 2020
Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison
On January 13, 1968, Johnny Cash gave, perhaps, his most memorable performance. Following the biblical admonition to remember and visit those in priso...