Diaspora Ministries

Lunar New Year: How Should Christians Celebrate

Alfred Chui / Monday, January 16, 2023

 

Jesus Christ once challenged those who intended to follow him with 2 considerations: to prepare for detachment from personal possessions and to act immediately.

Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” -Matthew 8:19-22

What does this look like for Chinese Christians in the context of celebrating Lunar New Year?

Gospel & Discipleship in a Cultural Context

The redemption of God was communicated in the Old Testament through the lens of Jewish or Near Eastern cultures, even though it was intended for the universal recipients articulated in the ancient covenant with Abram.When the Son of God entered human history as Jesus of Nazareth, the message of salvation for all nations materialized.

This message of salvation is for all nations and all cultures. Even so, the gospel needs to be understood in a particular cultural context. It is vital that we use culture as a platform to the gospel, instead of letting culture be a barrier to the gospel.

Let’s look at the tradition of how Chinese celebrate Lunar New Year to reflect on this issue.

Meaning of Lunar New Year

According to Chinese folklore, the word “year” in Chinese is “nian”, a monster that appeared sporadically to devour and destroy village lives. As each year ends, there is much to celebrate - congratulating each other for passing through the year (surviving the monster nian).

And after survival comes the higher wishes of peace and prosperity.

Prosperity: In an ancient Chinese society of agriculture, prosperity was evident in the harvest of crops or the multiplication of animals. In today’s context, prosperity is viewed as an increase in financial assets (rise of property values, stock growth, etc.) Prosperity could also mean success in personal gains, for example: taking advantage of buy-low-sell-high financial investments; high profit in business; or reaping the most benefits, even at the expense of others. Prosperity also refers to achievements in academics, gaining popularity or fame, and work performance.

Peace: Peace means personal integrity of good health, family harmony, and safety, although to some, it means resolution of geopolitical conflicts.

Lunar New Year Practices & Traditions

Many of the practices and traditions of Lunar New Year focus on how to bring peace and prosperity.

The Evangelical Times article: “Chinese new year – a Christian perspective”, written by Jack Sin, expands on many of the common practices and traditions of Lunar New Year. You can read more in-depth explanations about these traditions and practices in that article, but here is a brief summary of some of these traditions:

  • Astrology & Zodiac: The Chinese zodiac is based on the lunar calendar and “each year in the repeating zodiac cycle of 12 years is represented by a zodiac animal, each with its own reputed attributes.”2 This year, Lunar New Year begins on January 22, 2023, which marks the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit.

“Astrology…claims to predict what will happen to people, countries, economic trends, conflicts and much more…There is a superstitious belief that the animal ruling a person’s birth year exercises a profound influence on his or her life.”  --Jack Sin

  • Greetings: A common way to greet others for Chinese Lunar New Year is “Gong Xi Fa Cai”- it literately means to congratulate other people to get rich or "wishing you prosperity and wealth."
  • Red Packets: For Lunar New Year, red envelopes which contain money, are given to children by grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles. The red color of the packet indicates energy, happiness, and good luck. For the recipients of the packets, there is always the monetary gain, but for the givers, it means blessings to them as they give away money in this manner.
  • House Cleaning: On the first day of the Lunar New Year, people do not sweep their house because they are superstitious that it will “sweep out the prosperity and the good luck for the year”.4
  • Lion & Dragon Dance: Another tradition is the lion and dragon dance, which is thought to “chase away the ‘bad omen’ in businesses or shops”5.
  • Firecrackers: Another common practice is setting off firecrackers – “which by tradition is intended to ward off the evil monster ‘nian’ ”.6

How should God’s Redeemed People Approach the Cultural Practices of Lunar New Year?

No one declines blessings.

It is a matter of the source and temporary nature of the blessings that requires careful discernment.

Blessings (according to the culture of Lunar New Year)

The celebration of Lunar New Year by the Chinese focuses on peace in personal safety as well as prosperity in personal gains in life. Unfortunately, instead of acknowledging the Creator God as the universal benefactor, the hope is shifted to rely on created celestial patterns and other deified characters, as we see in the Chinese Zodiac.

The lack of certainty of life purpose and the fear of unexpected plight both lead to the practice of many superstitious behaviors like lighting firecrackers, performing the lion and dragon dance, and the taboo of sweeping the house on New Year’s Day or saying things that induce bad omen.

Blessings (according to the culture of Jesus)

In the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches blessings with a very different framework - as a culture for the community that is redeemed by God’s grace. This is a culture that acknowledges the total sovereignty of God and the reliance of the Holy Spirit.

Blessed are those who yield control of their life to the Holy Spirit, instead of relentlessly pursuing personal success and glory.  

Blessed are those who are constantly vigilant and mournful of their shortcomings, instead of justifying the mistakes they make and denying responsibility for any offence to God and others.

Blessed are those who are meek in character and always considering others, instead of pursuing their own self-interests.

Blessed are those who always pursue righteousness through knowing the truth, instead of believing in false and superstitious beliefs.

Blessed are those who are merciful and gracious to others, instead of competing and even exploiting others for the sake of personal gain.

Blessed are those who are pure in heart with no hidden agenda, instead of preying on others to deprive them of their interests.

Blessed are those who are peacemakers through actions of love and reconciliation, instead of being a peace-lover with their lips but unwilling to sacrifice in order to mend broken relationships.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness and willing to sacrifice for revealing the truth, instead of going with the flow just to protect personal safety.

In Conclusion:

As a follower of Christ from a Chinese cultural background, I would gladly adopt and practice the festive celebration of the Lunar New Year, participating in traditions such as visiting relatives, exchanging gifts and greetings, giving red packets to children and wishing blessings and peace to extended family, friends and neighbours.

However, I would tweak the meaning of many practices that are rooted in fear and personal gain because I am assured of the purpose and sovereignty of my life by the author of all blessings, the Creator God who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ! (Ephesians 1:3b)

1   Genesis 12:3

https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/

3-6 https://www.evangelical-times.org/chinese-new-year-a-christian-perspective/


Alfred Chui practiced physical therapy for over 25 years before he joined North Edmonton Alliance Church in 2009, first as the English Pastor & then in 2013 as the Senior Pastor. In 2019, Alfred & his wife Charis relocated to Richmond, B.C. and Alfred joined Outreach Canada as the Simply Mobilizing (SM) Canada Chinese Language Coordinator - implementing, maintaining and expanding the Kairos and other SM courses to mobilize Canadian Chinese diaspora Christians and their next generations to reach and disciple all nations.


print



Space-makers Space-makers

We have a couple of empty bedrooms in our house. At one time they were occupied by our kids, but fo...
Read More..

Night of Powerful Prayer Night of Powerful Prayer

Night of Powerful Prayer, by CCCOWE Canada & Loving Muslims Together, is a CALL TO PRAYER for Musli...
Read More..

8 Disciple-Making Principles 8 Disciple-Making Principles

A few years ago, I spent several months reading and re-reading the book of Acts. I was trying to un...
Read More..

Call to Prayer during Ramadan 2023 Call to Prayer during Ramadan 2023

Ramadan, marked by 30 days of fasting and prayer, is a season when Muslims diligently strive to ful...
Read More..

Love your Muslim Neighbours this Ramadan: Ways to Pray and Engage Love your Muslim Neighbours this Ramadan: Ways to Pray and Engage

Jesus exhorts us to love our neighbour as ourselves. Are you looking for opportunities to pray for ...
Read More..

Kairos Courses 2023 Kairos Courses 2023

Kairos Courses 2023
Read More..

6 Prayer Resources for Christians during Ramadan 6 Prayer Resources for Christians during Ramadan

6 Opportunities for Christians to pray during Ramadan.
Read More..

Loving Muslims Together: Inspiring Testimonies Loving Muslims Together: Inspiring Testimonies

You are invited to hear the testimony of a Christian man of Muslim background from Afghanistan who ...
Read More..

Pray, Learn, Engage: A Journey for Christians during Ramadan Pray, Learn, Engage: A Journey for Christians during Ramadan

Opportunities for Christians to pray, learn, love and engage with Muslims during Ramadan.
Read More..

Shaping the Church of the Future: The Diaspora Effect Shaping the Church of the Future: The Diaspora Effect

Many of us have mixed feelings about the changes that diaspora movements have brought to the world ...
Read More..

Prayer & Ramadan Prayer & Ramadan

Easter & Ramadan. Is God's forgiveness given or earned? An invitation for followers of Jesus t...
Read More..

Youre Invited! Praying for Ramadan You're Invited! Praying for Ramadan

You are invited to join us in praying for Ramadan! Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting—a s...
Read More..

Digital Bibles: A Key Discipleship Tool for Multilingual Speakers Digital Bibles: A Key Discipleship Tool for Multilingual Speakers

There are more opportunities today in Canada than ever before to reach out as a local church and we...
Read More..

Lunar New Year: How Should Christians Celebrate Lunar New Year: How Should Christians Celebrate

How should faith impact our celebrations of Lunar New Year as followers of Jesus? Alfred Chui expan...
Read More..

Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting

Loving Muslims Together Network - Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting
Read More..

A Vanilla Life: 5 Questions to Consider as you Build Cross-Cultural Friendships A Vanilla Life: 5 Questions to Consider as you Build Cross-Cultural Friendships

  5 Questions to Consider as you Build Cross-Cultural Friendships. Vanilla describes most...
Read More..

Mobi 101 Seminar Mobi 101 Seminar

Mobi 101 Seminar from Simply Mobilizing Canada.
Read More..

Making Disciples of All Nations in Canada Making Disciples of All Nations in Canada

Statistics Canada has just released the CENSUS 2021 data on population and reported that “millions ...
Read More..

LMT Webinar: The Muslims Worldview LMT Webinar: The Muslim's Worldview

In this Loving Muslims Together webinar, you are invited to hear from Dr. Nabeel Jabbour on how Mus...
Read More..

Kairos Promo Video Kairos Promo Video

A short video introducing the Kairos Course.  
Read More..

Wasting Seed Wasting Seed

Anybody who has visited my house knows I like to garden. A few years ago, my husband and daughter b...
Read More..

A Simple Recipe for Making Disciples A Simple Recipe for Making Disciples

When I have a bit of extra time, I enjoy cooking. I especially enjoy cooking for other people, and ...
Read More..

Hand in Hand: Serving Refugees in Winnipeg Hand in Hand: Serving Refugees in Winnipeg

When I first heard what Allan was doing among refugees in Winnipeg, I felt a desire to learn more. ...
Read More..

Scripture Earth: Sharing the Gospel in Diverse Languages Scripture Earth: Sharing the Gospel in Diverse Languages

The website, ScriptureEarth.org, containing one of the largest repositories of Bible resources avai...
Read More..

Loving a Mosque Community Together Loving a Mosque Community Together

Join us for this webinar where Lorna Johnston will share how you can engage in prayers of love and ...
Read More..

Understanding Gods Heart for Myanmar Understanding God's Heart for Myanmar

A testimony from a Kairos Alumna. "I have realized that God is the one who controls and prepar...
Read More..

LMT Webinar: Where is the Real Jesus to be Found? LMT Webinar: Where is the Real Jesus to be Found?

In this webinar, you are invited to hear an engaging comparative study on Isa of the Qur'an vs Jesu...
Read More..

...

Rachael's Story
A story from a Muslim Background Believer and a church who prayed for the mosque in their community.  Imagine getting this email: “My name is Rachael*. I am a born-again Christian of 2 years. I actually used...
Read more...
Space-makers
We have a couple of empty bedrooms in our house. At one time they were occupied by our kids, but for the last few years they’ve sat empty except when they’ve been temporarily occupied by visiting family or friends. A qu...
Read more...
Night of Powerful Prayer
Night of Powerful Prayer, by CCCOWE Canada & Loving Muslims Together, is a CALL TO PRAYER for Muslims during Ramadan. Join us online Monday April 17th, 2023.
Read more...
8 Disciple-Making Principles
A few years ago, I spent several months reading and re-reading the book of Acts. I was trying to understand how the Church had gone from a handful of people hiding out for fear of the authorities, to a bold and fearless...
Read more...
Call to Prayer during Ramadan 2023
Ramadan, marked by 30 days of fasting and prayer, is a season when Muslims diligently strive to fulfill the duties that form the basis of their religious practice. As Muslims enter a season of prayer and fasting during ...
Read more...
Love your Muslim Neighbours this Ramadan: Ways to Pray and Engage
Jesus exhorts us to love our neighbour as ourselves. Are you looking for opportunities to pray for and engage with the Muslims in your neighbourhood this Ramadan? Here are six opportunities to pray, and six opportunitie...
Read more...
6 Prayer Resources for Christians during Ramadan
6 Opportunities for Christians to pray during Ramadan.
Read more...
Pray, Learn, Engage: A Journey for Christians during Ramadan
Opportunities for Christians to pray, learn, love and engage with Muslims during Ramadan.
Read more...