Last year, the evil year, was a black spot in Tabares family history.  While I don’t normally celebrate New Year’s Eve, I made a special exception for this one because 2016 HAS to be better than the year that shall not be named!

I planned on staying up this year, you know, just to make sure it left!  LOL  And I had some special things planned to ring in the NEW year that had special significance to the renewing and victory I was claiming in 2016.

Instead of champagne and noise makers, I decided to enter 2016 in prayer and with the symbolism of new beginnings from the Bible.  We drank to the new year with purple grape juice. Purple is the color of royalty and wealth.  Only people of wealth and means could afford things dyed with indigo as it was a most expensive mixture.  I usually wear purple anyway, but I did so with more gusto than usual.

I also thought about other things that reminded me of the promises in the Bible like rainbows, God’s symbol of his promise that He would not again destroy the earth by flood.  We had a flood of trials this past year I’d like to think will come to an end in 2016.  I also found a few numeric symbols: the number 8 (the Biblical number of renewal) and 17 (which the Bible says signifies victory or overcoming).  I also read scriptures that talk about the renewing of our minds and the fact that all things are made new as well as the scriptures that remind me that we can do all things in Christ Jesus who strengthens us.

My dd and son-in-law were here with us to bring in the brand new year and we pray that God will bless our family as we head into 2016 with renewed hearts and minds.  How did you celebrate and what do you pray for in 2016?