What could be so happy about a New Year? Chinese New Year has begun and with it the festivities of the season have finally arrived. Families are being reunited, and people of all ages are enjoying the gestures and gifts that come with this season like so many others we will celebrate. Our Saviour was born into a culture of many festivals that celebrated God, family and the good things of this earth i.e. food. In fact, many of the biblical festivals pointed people to God, his works and also his future promises of blessing in his Heavenly Kingdom (Mt 26:29, Mk 14:25, Lk 22:18 cf Mt 22:1-14; Rev 19:7).
But when we celebrate festivals like Chinese New Year, what could be so happy about the year ahead? Or should we dare to believe this year will be more prosperous than the last one? When we really think about it this year it will probably have the same or similar trials, struggles, pains and things which are part of the present reality. How should Christians celebrate the new year to come? The New Testament interestingly does not prescribe festivals, nor does God’s Word restrict the practice of them. So how should we approach this season? Blessing is good, food is good and more importantly we can use the time to rejoice in the Lord through worship and prayer by thanking God for his provisions.
The Apostle promotes this way of thinking in his final words to the Philippians (Phil 4:4-20). Paul points out the general overview of life in this world under God’s providential hand. He employs churches to rejoice and pray to the Lord in all seasons and give thanks for his provisions regardless of our expectations e.g. his personal contentment (Phil 4:11-13). The mindset of Paul is whatever is honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable or praiseworthy then think about such things (Phil 4:8-9). If we consider then God’s word to shape both our perspective and practice of Chinese New Year, then we will be able to be thankful to God for many things. Now, despite what is, and what is to come this means we can find a peace that surpasses all understanding in the present and rejoice in sharing the same mindset with our brothers and sisters in Christ. So, we need not see this festive season without a Christian perspective. Festivals come and go but with a spiritual outlook we can perceive our true blessing in God alone for there is a time for everything under the sun.
Therefore, let’s use this festive time to have our minds future orientated to the greatest heavenly festival that is yet to come. However, in the meantime, as we lift up our cups and give thanks, and share in meals with our family and friends remember to do it all for the Glory of God.
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新年究竟有什麼值得歡喜的呢？農曆新年已經開始，隨之而來的是終於到來的節慶氣氛。家人得以團聚，男女老少一同享受這個季節所帶來的各樣心意與禮物，正如我們所慶祝的許多其他節期一樣。我們的救主降生在一個充滿節期的文化中，那些節期慶祝神、家庭，以及這地上一切美好的事物，例如飲食。事實上，許多聖經中的節期都指向神、祂的作為，以及祂在天國中將要賜下的福分與應許（太26:29，可14:25，路22:18；參太22:1–14；啟19:7）。
然而，當我們慶祝像農曆新年這樣的節期時，對於前面的一年，究竟有什麼值得歡喜的呢？我們是否應該大膽相信今年會比去年更加興盛？若我們仔細思考，其實今年很可能仍會有相同或類似的試煉、掙扎、痛苦，以及屬於現實生活的一切。那麼，基督徒應當如何迎接即將到來的新一年呢？有趣的是，新約並沒有規定節期，神的話語也沒有禁止人們過節。那我們應當如何面對這個季節？福分是美好的，飲食是美好的，更重要的是，我們可以藉著敬拜與禱告，在這段時間裡因著神而喜樂，感謝神所賜的一切供應。
使徒保羅在寫給腓立比人的書信結尾中（腓4:4–20）提倡了這樣的思想。保羅指出，在神主權的眷顧之下，世上人生的一個整體圖像。他勸勉眾教會在各樣的時候都要喜樂、禱告，並且不論是否如我們所願，都要為神的供應獻上感謝，例如他自己所學到的知足（腓4:11–13）。保羅的心態是：凡是真實的、可敬的、公義的、清潔的、可愛的、有美名的，若有什麼德行，若有什麼稱讚，這些事你們都要思念（腓4:8–9）。若我們讓神的話語塑造我們對農曆新年的眼光與實踐，我們就能為許多事情向神獻上感謝。如此，不論當下如何，也不論未來如何，我們都能在現今得著那出人意外的平安，並且與在基督裡的弟兄姊妹一同分享同樣的心思意念而喜樂。因此，我們不必在沒有基督徒視角的情況下看待這個節慶季節。節期來來去去，但若有屬靈的眼光，我們就能看見真正的福分唯獨在於神，因為凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時。
所以，讓我們善用這個節慶時光，使我們的心思指向將來那尚未來到、最盛大的天上筵席。然而，在此期間，當我們舉杯感恩，與家人朋友一同分享筵席時，記得一切都要為榮耀神而行。
Rev. Adam Breasley
