retaining the customs of these ante-Christian festivals, imbuing them
with the spirit of the new faith and making them emblematic of a purer
love and hope.

New Year's Day as a feast day is one of the oldest, if not the oldest,
on record. It is mentioned by Tacitus in the First Century, but first
referred to as a Christian festival about the year 567.

In Rome the day was dedicated by Numa to the honor of god Janus, for
whom Julius Cæsar named the month of January. Numa ordained that it
should be observed as a day of good-humor and good-fellowship. All
grudges and hard feelings were to be forgotten. Sacrifices of cake,
wine, and incense were to be made to the two-faced god who looked
forward and backward. Men of letters, mechanics, and others were
expected to give to the god the best they had to offer of their
respective arts. It was the great occasion of the entire year, as it
is now in many countries.

The date of New Year's Day has varied among different nations. Among
the Egyptians, Chinese, Jews, and Romans it has been observed on dates
varying from March first to December twenty-fifth. It was as late as
the Sixteenth Century before the date of January first was universally
accepted as the New Year by the Romans. Nations retaining the
Gregorian calendar, such as Russia and Greece, observe it thirteen
days later than those who reckon time by the Julian calendar.

Among northern nations the love of fire and light originated the
custom of kindling bonfires to burn out the old year and destroy all
evil connected with its past. Light has long been an expression of joy
and gladness among all branches of the Aryan race.