Looking Into the Future

It has become one of the most watched television events of the year. It is the annual New Year’s Day concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, from Vienna, Austria. Ticket prices for the live event range from $450 (for standing room) to nearly $6,000.

This concert features a celebration of the waltz. The primary composer always is Johann Strauss II, who, as the “waltz king,” became a kind of rock star of the 19^th century, with music that inspired a waltz mania throughout Europe and America.

Yet for many years Vienna’s musical establishment considered this music as too lighthearted. The Vienna Philharmonic only gradually began to embrace Strauss’ music, particularly during the 100^th anniversary of his birth in 1925.

The first true New Year’s concert took place in 1939, after Austria had come under the thumb of the Nazis and Adolf Hitler. As the official account describes, the orchestra “made an Austrian patriotic statement by performing music comprised exclusively of compositions by the Strauss family.” It was an opportunity to remember Austria “at a time when it had ceased to exist.”

Today, the orchestra celebrates these events “born into a dark period of Austrian history.” Their objective is for the concert to encourage “hope for better times to come,” and they want their many listeners to “draw joy and optimism for the new year.”

This is just one of many ways to celebrate the start of a new year. Others celebrate with parades, parties, and sporting events. But, for Believers, this often is a time of reflection—to look back over the lessons of the past year. This also can be a time to think about the year ahead. But more than anything, it is a time to seek the Lord, realizing that He holds the future.

In your life, commit the days ahead to God. Ask Him to help you to be prepared. And always be faithful…filled with peace…trusting Him with your life.