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It’s a new year and many of us will have put together a list of New Year’s resolutions. Even though we start the year with focus and determination, almost one in four resolutions are broken within the first week and most of us quit before the end of January. 

New Year’s resolutions are not a new trend, in fact they have been around for some 4,000 years. It’s thought the ancient Babylonians were the first people to start the tradition when the new year began in mid-March. This was the time of year when crops were planted and it was celebrated with a 12-day religious festival. The Babylonians resolutions included paying their debts and returning any items they had borrowed. If they kept to their word, the gods would bestow favour on them for the coming year.

Around 46BC, the calendar year was changed and 1 January became the start of the new year. Named for Janus, the two-faced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches, the Romans believed Janus looked backwards into the previous year and ahead to the future. The Romans made promises of good conduct and offered sacrifices to the deity.

For early Christians, the first day of the new year became the traditional occasion for thinking about one’s past mistakes and resolving to do and be better in the future. In 1740, the Covenant Renewal Service was introduced. Also known as watch night services, these were held on New Year’s Eve and was a time for praying and making resolutions for the coming year.

If New Year’s resolutions sound like too much hard work and you prefer to put your feet up and watch your favourite TV shows while indulging in leftover festive treats, don’t let TV interference get in the way. If you notice new interference to free to view services – there’s a small chance it may be due to mobile signal upgrades. We’re here to help – 0808 13 13 800 (free from UK landlines and mobiles).