10 February 2008 - Elder Sim Siang Kok
Celebrating Lunar New Year in Godly manner
The celebration of the Lunar New Year is characterized by traditions, symbolism and many superstitions. It is part and parcel of our Chinese culture. Yet as Christians we ought to celebrate the Lunar New Year in a God honouring and Christ like manner.
Reunion dinner
A reunion dinner is held on New Year's Eve where members of the family, near and far away, get together for the celebration in or near the home of the most senior member of the family. The New Year's Eve dinner is usually very sumptuous and traditionally includes chicken and fish. After the reunion, members of the family would gather around throughout the night and reminisce about the year that has passed while welcoming the New Year. As Christians, we can take the opportunity during or after the reunion dinner to share God’s blessings as a testimony of the goodness and faithfulness of God in the past year. Isaiah 25:1 exhorts us with these words “O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”
Red packets
Traditionally, red envelopes or red packets or 'hóng bao' are passed out during the Chinese New Year's celebrations, from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors especially children. The significance of 'hóng bao' in the Chinese traditions is seen as “blessings” since red is the colour of “good luck”. We do not believe in “good luck” as Christian for all thing work together for good to them that love God and to them who are the called according to his purpose. Today this has become our culture in Singapore with no superstitions attached. It is merely a Chinese tradition. Sensitivity to others also plays an important part as Christians. For example the colour of white represents mourning and death and therefore is used only at funerals. Christians, though not believing in “luck” either bad or good, should not wear red coloured clothes at funerals or give a “hong bao” to the bereaved family but a white coloured envelope. This is more for sensitivity sake than anything else.
Greetings
It is customary to greet one another with various sayings of auspicious greetings (e.g. Niannian youyu) - a wish for surpluses and bountiful harvest every year (i.e. bonuses in Singapore’s context). As believers, let us bless according to Holy Scriptures. Numbers 6:24-26 , “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Gambling
Some believe that what happens on the first day of the New Year reflects the rest of the year to come. Hence, many often gamble at the beginning of the year, hoping to get luck and prosperity. But as Christians, let us not engage in such activities for it is sin. Even if the game of mahjong or gambling is for fun and does not involve any cash, it is still wrong for our witness is at stake. Christ would not be pleased as we must only be holy in our conduct but must reject even the appearance of impropriaty. It is always wise to fear God and keep his commandment “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, …. nor any thing that is thy neighbour's” (Ex 20:17 emphasis added) and bear a good testimony for the Lord.
Superstitions
Some of the practices during the Lunar New Year celebration have originated from superstitions. For example, it is important to have the house or flat thoroughly clean before New Year's Day for good luck in the coming year. However, cleaning the house after New Year's Day is frowned upon as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the New Year. It is important that as Christians that we keep our homes spick and span at all times for cleanliness is next to godliness. Clothing featuring the colour red is commonly worn throughout the Lunar New Year because it is believed that red will scare away evil spirits and bad fortune. In addition, people typically wear new clothes from head to toe to symbolize a new beginning in the New Year. Wearing a new pair of slippers that is bought before the New Year is meant to step on the people who gossip about you. Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck amongst some Chinese. The word "shoes" is a homophone for the word for "rough" in Cantonese, or "evil" in Mandarin. Buying a pair of pants is considered bad luck. The word "pants" (kù) is a homophone for the word for "bitter" (kŭ) in Mandarin. Although some perceive it to be positive, as the word 'pants' (fu) in Cantonese is also a homophone for the word for "wealth".
“Good fortune and luck” however, have no part in the believer’s thinking. The aposte Paul reminded the Christians to do all things unto the Lord. Romans 14:5-8 says, “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.”