Young People's Group

SHOWING PIETY AT CHINESE NEW YEAR

by Pastor Mitch
February 18, 2007

Taking Time To Celebrate Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is a time of celebration. It is a tradition that has been passed down from one generation to another. It is a time that is meant to bring families together through reunion dinners and the visitation of relatives. While we may not celebrate the religious aspects of the occasion, nevertheless, it can still be celebrated with a spirit of joy and happiness. As a Christians, we can look forward to a time of fellowshipping together and bearing witness for the Lord. Let’s seek to celebrate the Chinese New Year with great joy in our hearts and to bring cheer to the hearts of others.

Showing Filial Piety At Home

Chinese New Year is a time of reminding ourselves to show filial piety at home. The Scriptures exhort us to show piety to our parents and grandparents.

“But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.” 
1 Timothy 5:4

The context of this verse is the need for children and grandchildren to show piety by looking after widows in need. The word “piety” in the Greek means “reverence”. We are meant to respect our parents or grandparents. We are meant to support them in whatever way we can when they are in need. God sees this as most pleasing in His sight. It is good and acceptable before Him. When I was younger, I use to find it a dread to visit relatives during the Chinese New year. But with greater maturity and understanding from the Scriptures, I have learned to look forward to being with my parents and relatives during the holiday season. Before an omniscient God, let’s learn to show our respect and honour to our parents and relatives when we see them.

Showing Good Regard To Fellow Christians

Paul also exhorted Timothy to have a proper regard in relating to members of the household of God.

“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger as sisters, with all purity.” 
1 Timothy 5:1-2

We are not meant to rudely rebuke an older man or lady. Instead, we are to respect them and treat them like our own fathers and mothers. We are to treat fellows Christians as brother and sisters with all purity. We are to exhort them with a proper regard. On the 24th February 2007, we are going to have a Chinese New Year celebration beginning at 3:00 pm. The theme of this celebration is “Good Words”. Let’s all come and exhort the older brethren with good words. Let’s seek to have a good time of celebration with them. May we always learn to regard them well. Wishing all a Happy Chinese New Year.

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