Chinese New Year greetings

It is obvious the most common Chinese New Year greeting is Gong Xi Fa Cai in Mandarin, Kong Hee Fatt Choy in Cantonese, Keong Hee Huat Chai in Hokkien/Teochew.

Businessmen love to hear it. It has to do with material prosperity, more business, more money. It fits well with the world's materialistic thinking.

It is good to be happy and the Lord wants us to be happy. Material prosperity is not necessarily an evidence of divine blessing, is it? Think of the many marriage, family breakups; think of the quarrels that end up in courts - all over money. Wealth can bring a lot of pain and sorrow.

I prefer these greetings - Xin nian Kuai Le in Mandarin, Sin Ni Kuai Lok in Hokkien/Teochew Sun Neen Fai Lok in Cantonese. "Wishing you Joy and Peace"

Among Christians there is another greeting Sin Ni Bong Un in Hokkien and Teochew, or Sun Neen Mong Yan in Cantonese or Xin Nian Meng En in Mandarin. It is the expression meaning "May you be highly favoured with God's blessings."

Personally I refrain from using Kong Hee Fatt Choy or Keong Hi Huat Chai or Gong Xi Fa Cai. I don't wish anyone material prosperity but I wish you God's richest blessings of Joy and Peace. If God prospers us materially, let us thank Him, pay our tithes and share our material blessings with others.

Let me share with you one of Herbert Booth's songs written in the early days of The Salvation Army. You can sing it to the tune "Old folks at home."

Joy, freedom, peace and ceaseless blessing
Yours all shall be,
If, while your weakness still confessing,
To your Redeemer you flee.

Chorus:
All the world can ne'er console you,
Cannot bring you joy.
Jesus alone can satisfy you,
He will your sorrow destroy.

Joy, greater than earth's dearest treasure,
You may receive;
Jesus will deal it without measure
If in His power you believe.

Free from your doubts and fears forever
Will you not be?
Jesus, those chains of doubt will sever
And you His freedom shall see.

Peace, flowing as river,
Now you may find;
From all your troubles He'll deliver
While to His will you're resigned.