Introduction
Shōgatsu, the Japanese New Year, is the most important holiday of the year in Japan. From January 1 to 3, families gather, share osechi (traditional New Year dishes) and send greeting cards called nengajō. Churches hold a watchnight service on December 31 and a service on New Year's Day. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, are grouped into five themes: entrusting the year to God, thanksgiving, what God makes new, protection and guidance, and words for services and greeting cards. Use them in a prayer, a resolution or a message.
Entrusting the New Year to God
1. Psalm 90:12
"So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 90 reflects on how short and fragile life is. Asking God to teach us to count our days means wanting to live each day wisely, without being crushed by time. At the start of the year, take a moment to count the coming days before God and to entrust their unfolding to him. Read all of Psalm 90.
2. Psalm 31:15
"My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me."
The psalmist prays this while enemies are pursuing him: his times are in God's hand. We do not know what the year will bring, but every day is in the Lord's hand. On the morning of New Year's Day, place both your plans and your worries in his hands. Read all of Psalm 31.
3. Proverbs 16:9
"A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps."
In Japan, many people set their resolutions for the year on January 1. The book of Proverbs does not condemn planning: a person's heart plans his course. But it is Yahweh who directs his steps. Bring your plans to God and ask him to steer them according to his will. Read all of Proverbs 16.
4. Matthew 6:34
"Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient."
Jesus says this in the Sermon on the Mount. In Japan it is said that the whole year is decided on its first day, but you do not have to carry twelve months of worries in a single day. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Trust the grace of today to take your first step into the year. Read all of Matthew 6.
Giving Thanks at the Start of the Year
5. Psalm 103:2
"Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits,"
Psalm 103 opens with a word the psalmist speaks to himself: praise Yahweh and do not forget his benefits. The start of the year is a good time to look back. Health, family, work, meetings: list the blessings you have received and turn them into a prayer of thanks. Read all of Psalm 103.
6. Psalm 107:1
"Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever."
The psalm declares that Yahweh is good and that his loving kindness endures forever, without end. The year changes, but God's love does not. Around the New Year meal, read this verse aloud with your family and make it your prayer of thanks before you eat together. Read all of Psalm 107.
7. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you."
Paul sums up God's will here: rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything. As a New Year resolution you could adopt one very small habit: each evening, thank God for one specific thing from the day. This simple habit slowly changes how you see the whole year. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5.
8. Psalm 65:11
"You crown the year with your bounty. Your carts overflow with abundance."
This psalm of thanksgiving celebrates the harvest: God crowns the year with his bounty. The image suits the New Year well, because time itself becomes a gift from God. Welcome the year that is beginning as a year crowned with the Lord's goodness, and receive it with gratitude. Read all of Psalm 65.
Walking Into What God Makes New
9. Lamentations 3:22-23
"It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness."
The book of Lamentations was written in deep sorrow, and yet the author declares that Yahweh's loving kindnesses are not consumed. They are new every morning. Not only on the morning of January 1: every morning opens a fresh grace. You can enter the year carrying yesterday's weariness, and God will still meet you. Read all of Lamentations 3.
10. Isaiah 43:18-19
"“Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
God speaks to his people returning from exile: stop dwelling on the past, for he is about to do a new thing. You do not have to remain a prisoner of last year's regrets. The God who makes a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert can also open a road for you this year. Read all of Isaiah 43.
11. 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new."
Paul declares that anyone in Christ is a new creation. When the calendar turns over, remember this newness of faith as well. Your past faults and failures no longer define who you are. In Christ you are already someone new, today and on every day of the year. Read all of 2 Corinthians 5.
12. Psalm 40:3
"He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh."
The psalmist confesses that God has put a new song in his mouth, even praise to our God. A new year can open with new praise. Even after a hard year, God knows how to put a song back in your mouth. Ask yourself what praise you would like to offer him this year. Read all of Psalm 40.
Praying for Protection and Guidance
13. Psalm 121:7-8
"Yahweh will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul. Yahweh will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and forever more."
Psalm 121 is a pilgrim song that promises Yahweh's keeping for our going out and our coming in. Commutes to work or school, trips, visits home for the New Year: every journey out and back is under his eye. On New Year's Day, pray that God will keep your household all year long. Read all of Psalm 121.
14. Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs invites us to trust in Yahweh with all our heart rather than lean on our own understanding. Studies, a job, marriage, the care of a parent: when a decision weighs on you this year, acknowledge God in all your ways. Walk in prayer, one step at a time, and he will make your paths straight. Read all of Proverbs 3.
15. Isaiah 41:10
"Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness."
God tells his people not to be afraid, because he is with them. At the threshold of a new year, worries about work, health or family may rise up. This word promises that God strengthens, helps and upholds. Read it slowly, like a prayer, whenever anxiety grows at the start of the year. Read all of Isaiah 41.
16. Psalm 32:8
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you."
In this psalm God promises to instruct, to teach the way to go, and to keep his eye on you. Knowing that he guides is a great comfort at the start of the year. For this year's choices, take a time of silence, ask him what he wants to show you, and then wait for his answer in prayer. Read all of Psalm 32.
For the New Year Service and Greeting Cards
17. Numbers 6:24-26
"‘Yahweh bless you, and keep you. Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you. Yahweh lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.’"
God gave this blessing to the priests of Israel, and it is still spoken at the end of many services today. It asks for protection, grace and peace. In Japan people send New Year cards, the nengajō, and this verse fits them perfectly. Offer it to those you love as a wish for the Lord's blessing. Read all of Numbers 6.
18. Psalm 118:24
"This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!"
This verse is often used as a call to worship in New Year's Day services. It expresses the joy of receiving each new day as a gift from God. On the morning of January 1, read it aloud with your family before the festive meal and rejoice together in this first day of the year. Read all of Psalm 118.
19. Colossians 3:17
"Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him."
Paul asks us to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God. Work, housework, studies: the whole year can become worship offered to God. You can write this verse on your greeting card or on the first page of your planner, as a compass for the months ahead. Read all of Colossians 3.
20. Psalm 100:4-5
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name. For Yahweh is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations."
The psalmist invites us to enter God's gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. As you walk to the first service of the year, this verse becomes the attitude of your heart. Yahweh is good, and his faithfulness lasts to all generations. Begin the year of worship with gratitude and joy. Read all of Psalm 100.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Japanese Christians spend the New Year?
It varies from church to church, but many hold a watchnight service on the evening of December 31 and a worship service on the morning of January 1. Afterward, families gather around osechi. What matters most is giving the first day of the year to thanking God and praying, without putting pressure on yourself.
Can I add a Bible verse to a New Year card?
Yes. Short verses such as Numbers 6:24-26 or Psalm 118:24 are very popular. If the recipient is not a Christian, keep it gentle: a single line that expresses your wish for their happiness is enough, without pressing the point.
How do I choose a verse for the whole year?
Choose one in prayer that speaks to your present situation. Pick one from this list, write it in your planner or on the fridge, and read it every day. You can also ask your pastor for advice, or pair it with a plan for reading the Bible through the year.