Why is there an end of the year? Because the calendar imposes numerical order on time. There is a natural fitness in the celebration of the New Year, a holiday of numbers imposed on things, with lists, as well as with Advent calendars and songs like 'The Twelve Days of Christmas.'

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The quote by Elif Batuman reflects on the concept of the end of the year and how it is defined by the calendar, which imposes a numerical order on time. This highlights that the division of time into years is a human construct designed to bring structure and meaning to the passage of time, rather than a natural occurrence.

Batuman points out the natural fitness or appropriateness of celebrating the New Year as a way to acknowledge this imposed order. The holiday is not just a random celebration but one tied to numbers and cycles, often marked by traditions like making lists, using Advent calendars, and singing seasonal songs such as “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

Originating from Batuman’s philosophical reflection on time and tradition, the quote encourages us to see the New Year as both a cultural and numerical milestone. It shows how humans use these constructs to find rhythm, meaning, and joy in life’s ongoing flow.