Sharing Seasons: Daniel's First Chinese New Year Home

We discovered that when we became an adoptive family, we didn't just bring a Chinese little boy into our family and make him American, we ourselves became an American/Chinese family. We always will be such. True none of us speak Mandarin and we are still learning about Beijing (Daniel's birth place). True this year we purchased one Chang Pou (boys clothing for Chinese New Year) but it was with a good reason and next year we will find three. We are all growing into who we are as a family.

I always wondered how I would honor Chinese New Year traditions as a Christian. I especially didn't want to compromise anything about my faith in Jesus Christ. I've learned, however, (especially through parenting) that there are many American traditions that if we're going to keep as a family, we need to "tweak." We seek to take all family traditions and celebrations and make them teaching opportunities. We do this through pumpkin carvings in the Fall, evergreen trees in December, hearts in February, clovers to illustrate the Trinity, eggs to teach the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and so on.We try to remove superstitious or pagan aspects of our American holidays and use these sweet festivities to point to Jesus. We hope to do the same with Chinese New Year. I'm so excited about this because it is one time of year we get to celebrate China. Sure we can talk about China anytime, this is a time we get to celebrate God giving us Daniel from a very special place. But again, we want to do this carefully and intentionally. We do not believe in astrology nor do we want to embrace the ideas of luck, good fortune, or idolatry. Basically, we give the traditions a new meaning. As our children get older, I'm sure we'll learn about the original intent, but as a family we'll focus our traditions on Jesus.

House Cleaning: Ha! I'm nesting so of course I'm cleaning like crazy at our house. I'll just call it celebrating.

New Clothes: I like how the resource below reminds us to thank God for the provision He's
given us. " Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" (Luke 12: 22-24)

We prayed for China each night during bedtime.

We made lanterns and taught that Jesus said to "let your light shine before men."

Our "feast" this year was eating out at Panda Express. Nathan and I enjoyed the food. Daniel loved the noodles. Joshua ate hardly anything. Someone previously ran their car into the restaurant so they were repairing a window, which made it cold. But we were determined to eat out at a Chinese Restaurant so we stayed and ate. :)

We made and learned about Pandas. I know it's the year of the sheep, but Panda's are much more fun and native to China. So Pandas it was.

We're not the first to think about celebrating Chinese New Year as Christians. I found this resource from the Methodist Church in Singapore. I like how they view the following traditions. Instead of just inserting the link, I've copied and pasted directly (http://www.methodist.org.sg/index.php/home/whats-happening/719-a-christian-celebration-of-chinese-new-year)...Anything I add to it is in red.

A Christian Celebration of Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is the most important point on the Chinese calendar.

The beginning of the lunar year has symbolized the act of starting over

with renewed hopes for happiness and prosperity. It is also a time to

renew ties with family and friends, through family reunion dinners and

social visits.

Chinese and many other Asian Christians continue to celebrate the New

Year so as to maintain their ethnic identity. But while the celebration was traditionally marked by a

religious ceremony in honor of Heaven and Earth, the household gods and ancestors, Chinese

Christians will celebrate the event from the perspective of their faith in Christ.

Christian interpretations have been given to many of the traditional symbols associated with Chinese
New Year.

House Cleaning: It is a good time for Christians to evaluate their lives in light of their commitment to Christ.

New Clothes: This can be an opportunity for giving thanks for God’s abundant provisions

(Romans 5:17). It's also a chance to celebrate God's new mercies made new every morning.

Feasting: While over-indulging these few days remember that our body is the “temple of the Holy

Spirit”, so do not abuse it. Also remember the Christian virtue of hospitality, especially for those less

fortunate.

Oranges: Oranges are exchanged as a blessing for prosperity, because the Cantonese word for

“orange” sounds like gold. Christians are reminded that gold also symbolizes a genuine faith

(1 Peter 1:7).

Ancestors: While Chinese Christians will worship the one true God rather than their ancestors,

that hardly means that they dishonor or neglect their family ancestors or even the ancestors of

the faith. Scripture clearly calls us to respect those who came before us, and to honor our parents

(Exodus 20:12).

Chinese New Year Prayer
Almighty God, we thank you for the Chinese New Year celebrations. The annual family gatherings

help us cement our family ties. We thank you for our family ancestors and spiritual ancestors.

Father, give us the boldness to witness to our family and friends as we met them during this

festive season. O God, help us to obey you in thoughts and in deeds, that we may please you in all

our ways. In the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. Amen.

(prayer from CAC NEWS, January 2006, used by permission)

Resource: CAC News and website

I also took some time to reminisce over our time in China. Life has changed so much since then. I'm amazed at what the Lord has done in our lives over the past three and a half years. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!