by Yvonne Lander

Created on: December 26, 2009   Last Updated: December 27, 2009

This tradition dates back to 600 B.C. from the country of Greece. Back in 600 B.C. Greece's new year's tradition was to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus. Each year a baby was put into a basket and shown around to celebrate the rebirth of that God. Dionysus was considered the spirit of fertility.

 All through the years the symbol of a baby signifies rebirth. Having to rethink its position on the popularity of a baby symbolizing a new year, Christians at one time thought the practice was pagan. After much time the church decided to accept the practice of using a baby as a symbol of the rebirth of Jesus.

The baby on a banner was brought to America by the Germans. Since the fourteenth century the Germans have been celebrating the baby on a banner.

As the years have come and go, contests have been started. The woman that gives birth to the first child the of new year gets gifts.  In each city the first baby born is usually announced on television. A new baby signifies something fresh, untouched, able to start with a clean slate.

With the image of a new baby being a new year symbol,some men dress up in a diaper and play the part of the baby.  As the years have progressed every culture celebrates the new year differently. Most cultures do use the symbol of a new baby, as said earlier in the story  signifies rebirth of Jesus. As times get more desperate more and more people need this symbol, to remember that life can start fresh and new.

As 2009 comes to an end, how many new babies will populate this earth.  Will the candles be alight? Will the cries from all those new borns put a smile on the faces of those around them? Remembering that the new year represents a fresh start and leaving those not so good thoughts behind in 2009. 

Wash away your cares, be joyous in all you that the New Year brings to you. Get your own fireworks and party like a new baby has been born. Time will reveal that all things in life come full circle.  Different cultures celebrate each holiday that we have in different ways, as I've read a new baby is seen world wide as the best symbol for the New Year.

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