As we countdown to midnight, cheering the arrival of a new year, we are joining a long tradition of celebration—one rooted in remembrance, gratitude, and reflection.

At first glance, New Year’s Eve might seem like a secular holiday—a simple calendar flip marked with fireworks and resolutions. Yet beneath the surface lies a deeper question: Why do we celebrate? What compels us to pause, gather, and cheer at the stroke of midnight?

Celebration, at its core, is about remembering. Consider Independence Day, when we remember a moment that changed the course of history, or Memorial Day, when we honor those who gave their lives for our freedom. Other celebrations focus on people—birthdays commemorate a life, and Thanksgiving calls us to reflect on blessings shared with loved ones. 

But the concept of celebration is not merely cultural—it is profoundly biblical. Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to celebrate. Festivals were instituted to help Israel remember God’s faithfulness and His deliverance (Exodus 12:14). Feasts were appointed times to reflect on His blessings, gather in joy, and worship together. In Deuteronomy, God tells His people to rejoice in all that He has provided (Deuteronomy 16:15). In the English Standard Version, this verse says we should “be altogether joyful!”