The shortest day of the year – the winter solstice – is called D?ng Zhì (??) in Mandarin Chinese. The Chinese characters for D?ng Zhì are ??. The first character means “winter” and the second character means “arrival.” In traditional Chinese society, the arrival of winter meant that the farmers would lay down their tools and celebrate the harvest by coming home to their families. A feast would be prepared to mark the occasion.
Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get togethers (especially in the southern parts of China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of Tangyuan (??) or balls of glutinuous rice, which symbolize reunion. Tangyuan are made of glutinuous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. It is also the day when everyone becomes one year older.
My family celebrated Dongzhi with my mum and sister’s family members at the old house where I was born. Mum’s cooking is still the best.
I do not forget that God created the world in orderly fashion from the beginning to the present. The world did not just evolve on its own or by accident.
December 22 2009 | Sharing | No Comments »
On Christmas, there is a very famous carol sung all around the world. Whether young and old, male and female, once they hear this song, they will be captivated by it and peace will well up from their hearts. The song is ‘Silent Night’.
What is humanity’s greatest need in today’s world? Wealth? Reputation? College or University Degree? Material enjoyment? Status in life?
Actually, throughout history, humanity’s greatest need is ‘peace’.
If there is no peace, every day we will be living in fear and all the wealth in the world will be meaningless to you. That is why since the dawn of man, humanity long to obtain peace through various means.
However, our environment and situation is constantly changing. If we place our security in this ever changing world such as wealth, politic, status in life, health, etc, once these things are gone, so will our sense of peace. If we place our trust in the unchanging and ever faithful true God, then only will we obtain true peace in life.
Jesus says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The world’s method of seeking peace is to eliminate all problems on the outside, but God’s method of peace is to eliminate the sins and anxieties within our hearts. And for this reason alone, Jesus came to this world to give us this true peace in life. This is the good news and great hope that the world is waiting for!
But how can we receive this true peace? The bible tells us that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
As it turns out, the way to eternal life is by believing in God’s only son, Jesus Christ. In other words, by trusting Jesus Christ and reconciling back to God, we will experience the peace that is from God.
When we say “Merry Christmas”, the main reason to be merry is because we have this peace when we believe in Jesus. It is the greatest gift from God to us on the first ‘Silent Night’. I believe most of us here had gone through many Christmas. But, wouldn’t it be great if this year’s Christmas be special? Special in the sense that we can now put our trust in the staring of Christmas—Jesus, and receive this gift of peace and hope in our life.
If you are willing, I invite you to place your right hand on your heart, and say out this prayer :
“Lord Jesus, I thank you for coming to this world, and giving us peace and eternal life. I now believe and accept you into my heart. Remove all my sins and fear so that I can have peace and eternal life. In Jesus Christ name I pray. Amen.”
December 22 2009 | Sharing | No Comments »
