Chinese New Year

Today is Chinese New Year's Eve and it is a time for family reunion. This evening my wife and I shall be joining our son and his family for the reunion dinner. For us it is more practical this way as they have a bigger house and maid to help. Age is catching up on us and we simply cannot manage to do all the cooking and the washing up afterwards.

The reunion dinner symbolises renewal and reaffirmation of family ties. Tradition demands that all members sit down together as a sign of lasting peace and harmony. The meal often takes hours if not days of preparation.

The reunion dinner menu comprises a host of special dishes believed to bring good fortune and health. Of course as Christians we do not believe in such things as luck or fortune. All we want is a time and fellowship and of course to enjoy a good meal together.

I recall my childhood days, my parents made sure we had duck braised in soya sauce, duck with salted vegetables cooked in soup, and roast chicken or chicken curry.

Family members try not to break anything from New Year’s Eve onwards for the New Year period. In ancient China this festival lasted fifteen days closing with the Lantern festival which originated during the Han dynasty. This 15th Day is also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day. This year Valentine's day falls on the first day of the New Year. In olden times, this was the only day when young ladies could leave their homes accompanied by their mothers to the temples where they would take the opportunity to steal shy glances at young male worshippers!

In the evenings crowds gathered to watch colourful parades and such glances were exchanged more openly. The matchmakers would have a busy time looking for business. How blessed our young people are these days when they are permitted to choose their own partners and go dating any time with or without parental consent! Wise children bring their boy or girl friends home to meet their parents (and don’t forget grandparents are interested to meet them too!)

The first day of Chinese New Year is the time to visit our seniors. Older people stay home and younger ones go visiting to pay respects. It is common practice for younger ones to offer two or four Mandarin oranges in both hands when wishing their elders during the New Year. It is a sign of respect to one’s elders the oranges should be presented with both hands. It is also customary for the recipient to return two oranges before the visitor leaves.

It is traditional to give ‘ang pows’ (red packets with money inside). In Hong Kong this is called ‘lai se.’ Red is an important colour to the Chinese because it symbolises life, happiness and good luck or blessing.

In Singapore the first two days are gazetted as public holidays and the third day people are back at work. This year the first day of Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, so Monday and Tuesday are holidays.

The third day is believed to be ‘unlucky day’ as the visits might end in quarrels! I think the real reason is after days of preparation, dinners, partying and late nights, people are generally tired. When we are tired we tend to be more sensitve or touchy! We take offence more easily.

We maintain open house during the New Year period. However tomorrow, first day of New Year being on a Sunday we shall be worshipping at our church from 11.00 am to 12.30 p.m. Preachers please keep your sermons short to-morrow.

New Year is a time for thanksgiving and rejoicing. Let us make use of the festival to encourage and bless each other in the Lord.

Xin Nian Ping An to the readers of this blog.