鲍鱼tv

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Revd Dr Paul Mathole.

Good morning.

Today is Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, celebrated as it is in many parts of the world. A friend and member of my congregation is from Hong Kong. She described how Chinese New Year is like Christmas, but more dramatic!

She told me it鈥檚 a time for family: People travel great distances to get home to be with them and eat with them. There are celebrations with flower markets, lion dances, firecrackers and fireworks.

And she described it as a time of blessing. As people stick red paper everywhere with calligraphy messages wishing people well.

Of course, this year, lots of this has been curtailed. Many won鈥檛 be able to travel to see their families and friends, with the lockdown here and around the world. Many will feel isolated and far from home, including many international students in the UK.

My friend also explained that at Chinese New Year it鈥檚 common for every household to put the red wishes on the tops and sides of the door frame. The legend has it that it stops a new year monster from going into people鈥檚 houses to kill them on new year鈥檚 eve. My friend is a Christian and it鈥檚 always reminded her of the Exodus story, and the red blood on the doorposts. Those inside were kept safe by God.

Heavenly Father, we pray for those celebrating the Lunar New Year. We pray for many who are far from family and for whom this will be a more painful time. We pray that as they wish one another blessing, they may know you are a gracious God who cares for them.

Amen.

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