This is how the Chinese say Happy New Year
Full of myths and traditions, the Chinese New Year is the longest and the most significant festival in the Chinese calendar. The customs vary from province to province and village to village, but nationally, it is a time to return home to family to usher in a new year. Millions of people will travel great distance to be with family. Migrant workers are given this time to be with family, and for many, this is the only time they will see family during the year. Large feasts, fireworks, lighted lanterns, traditional dragon dances and red envelopes given with money are signature sights at this time of year. Many of the traditions are based on superstitions like cleaning the house to rid the family of evil spirits or eating dumplings shaped like coin bags for the promise of good fortune. The Chinese, do, however use this special festival to seek reconciliation with one another, to forgive debts and extend peace and harmony to each other for a new year. That's a beautiful thing!
Having two beautiful children from China, we celebrate the New Year as we did last weekend with a traditional dinner, decorations, lanterns and special books about the festival. It is always fun for our family to do so. But amidst the customs and traditions, all based in astronomy and superstition, it is always a reminder of the dark side of a culture that does not know Jesus.
We remember, too, or maybe it is just I who remember and wonder....about the families that gather without Yue Hui Ping and Wu Yue He, our precious children. Do they think about who is missing in their festivities? Do they recall the day they parted ways with their beloved babies? Do they offer well wishes for the chidlren they no longer know?
I think about those families, unknown to us!
I pray for them!
And it breaks my heart!
For all that we continue to not understand and yearn to know about being knit together through adoption, we trust to God. And we are mindful on such special days especially of the great work our God has done in the lives of these two children. His redeeming, faithful work. Our greatest thanksgiving comes in knowing that they know Jesus and Claire already trusts Him for her salvation through faith. Our prayer is that the same will be true for David one day.
It is the fantastic year of the dragon. Here is a hand print dragon Claire and I made. . .actually we decided it looked a bit more like Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar, but oh well. We saw this idea on Pinterest and gave it a whirl!
The dragon is the most auspicious and powerful creature of the Chinese zodiac associated with high energy, prosperity and power. This year, it is significant because it is not just the year of the dragon, but the water dragon. This rolls around, we are told, every 60 years. No doubt, as in other dragon years, the birthrate in Asian countries will soar. What a matter of prayer this is. How many more baby girls will be aborted? How many more children will be abandoned because of this superstitious stronghold? Makes my stomach turn and my heart weep!
On the brighter side, we are mindful of the many millions of people with their families during the next days and weeks and the hope we have in God and His sovereign hand over all the nations, over all the peoples and his redemption power even in the darkest places like superstitious China. No doubt he is at work there.
If you want to be encouraged in that fact, spend some time reading the blog of our dear freinds the H family living in Wuhan City. We got to know them before traveling to China and spent time with them when we traveled for David last year. They have adopted several children from David's city and are waiting for two more boys to come home! They are a light in a dark place and you will be blessed to read how God is working in mighty ways ....MIGHTY WAYS...through this beautiful family. Maybe you will even consider supporting their work there. I don't know of another family who has been granted favor on such amazing levels in that country as the H family. Truly amazing!
So it is the year of the water dragon. He is no match for our great God and King who is redeeming every tribe, tongue and nation! Amen to that!!! And New Year Happy friends and family!!!
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