CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – Today’s Friday on Faith is the final Conley Commentary of 2023. I look forward to sharing news and views with you in the new year.
As far as anthropologists know, the ancient Babylonians were the first culture to observe recurring holidays. Before then, celebrations would be random – after a successful battle, or a good harvest, or a birth in the king’s household.
But the Babylonians had an annual New Years observance, just like we will on Sunday night into Monday morning. Their new year started in what is now considered March. When the spring constellations appeared each year, it was the start of the planting season. The holiday was Atiku, and it was observed solemnly – not as a celebration. Babylonians resolved to be hard workers in the new year. Those who weren’t might starve. They resolved to pay old debts, and to return things that were borrowed – the first new years resolutions.
And they paid homage to the god Murdock. Their prayer: protect us from uncertainty in the year ahead. Such a prayer made perfect sense. Babylon was a powerful, prosperous kingdom. The unknown threatened the status quo.
My prayer for the new year is somewhat different. It is based on how the prophet Iasiah described the just-born Christ child. “Of the government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne forever. Of his kingdom, there will be no end, establishing and upholding justice and righteousness.” I wish for that change in the year ahead: that more people will turn toward God; that we might enter a period of reverence towards Him and fairness towards each other. Lord, do not keep us frozen in time like the Babylonians of old. God, change us. Change the circumstances of our lives and our world towards your will.
And I wish you a happy New Year.
A great New Years resolution is to become a regular supporter of the Gospel TLC. It’s a faith based transitional living center in Weston for men who are turning away from addiction and are working to change their lives.
They need monthly donors. If you’d like to help, there’s a link here
The men at the Gospel TLC also cook their own meals. They need things like milk, juice, bread, apples, bananas, eggs and other breakfast foods. Those items can be dropped off as the Gospel TLC building at Crosse Point Boulevard, near the hospital in Weston.
Chris Conley
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