Chinese New Year and Christianity

[npw11]

I come from a country in Asia, and the tradition in my family is that we celebrate Chinese New Year every year. How should I celebrate this festival in a biblical way, and at the same time honor my non-believing parents? For example:

1. Can I wish others "Gong Xi Fa Cai" which means "wishing you to be prosperous in the coming year"?
2. Can I watch lion dances (read here under "What Lion Dance Symbolizes")?
3. How should I respond to my family's (non-Christians) beliefs that you should not cut your hair or clean your house during Chinese New Year as they "cut away or sweep away wealth"?
4. Can I get and wear new clothes, which symbolizes "the wish for blessing and bounty the year ahead"?

Any biblical advice would be greatly appreciated! If these things are okay, I may need an explanation on why. Thank you, and God bless!

 

[tampasteve]

I come from a country in Asia, and the tradition in my family is that we celebrate Chinese New Year every year. How should I celebrate this festival in a biblical way, and at the same time honor my non-believing parents? For example:

1. Can I wish others "Gong Xi Fa Cai" which means "wishing you to be prosperous in the coming year"?
2. Can I watch lion dances (read here under "What Lion Dance Symbolizes")?
3. How should I respond to my family's (non-Christians) beliefs that you should not cut your hair or clean your house during Chinese New Year as they "cut away or sweep away wealth"?
4. Can I get and wear new clothes, which symbolizes "the wish for blessing and bounty the year ahead"?

Any biblical advice would be greatly appreciated! If these things are okay, I may need an explanation on why. Thank you, and God bless!

I persoanlly don't see any issues with celebrating it, even if you personalyl choose to celebrate it more as a secular holiday. Actually, the whole holiday is pretty secular now. Many people still go to the temples to pray for their ancestors, but you don't have to participate in that part.

Can I wish others "Gong Xi Fa Cai" which means "wishing you to be prosperous in the coming year"?

Yes, of course. That is a common greeting and "wish" in any New Year celebration, be it Lunar, Jewish, or Western. It is a kind greeting to anyone.

Can I watch lion dances (read here under "What Lion Dance Symbolizes")?

Yes. From the link: "the lion symbolizes power, wisdom, and superiority. People perform lion dances at Chinese festivals or big occasions to bring good fortune and chase away evil spirits."
Most cultures celebrate the lion for the same ideals. As to the chasing evil spirits....I don't see that as many people believing that now. Further, you could take the general idea and apply it to Christ, the Lion of Judah if you chose to.

How should I respond to my family's (non-Christians) beliefs that you should not cut your hair or clean your house during Chinese New Year as they "cut away or sweep away wealth"?

Most cultures have vestiges of superstitions still. Those are just superstitions, they don't hold any power, but at the same time as a cultural thing they have value to your family. I don't see a problem with keeping the tradition to keep harmony in your family.

Can I get and wear new clothes, which symbolizes "the wish for blessing and bounty the year ahead"?

Sure. Again, this is a common thing for New Year in any culture. I don't see it as religious at all.

Some Christians are going to disagree with my statements. Some Christians don't even celebrate broadly Christian holidays like Christmas or Easter because of their supposed Pagan influences. I respectfully disagree with those people for a variety of reasons.

 

[ReesePiece23]

You're always safe inside your own mind; and I always respect the individual cultures of a country. I've even visited temples in the far east and wish an ex girlfriend (from a VERY long time ago) a happy Diwali every year, but on the INSIDE, I know which side my bread is buttered.

'Things' only ever have as much power as you allow them to have. They are JUST things...

 

[Aussie Pete]

I come from a country in Asia, and the tradition in my family is that we celebrate Chinese New Year every year. How should I celebrate this festival in a biblical way, and at the same time honor my non-believing parents? For example:

1. Can I wish others "Gong Xi Fa Cai" which means "wishing you to be prosperous in the coming year"?
2. Can I watch lion dances (read here under "What Lion Dance Symbolizes")?
3. How should I respond to my family's (non-Christians) beliefs that you should not cut your hair or clean your house during Chinese New Year as they "cut away or sweep away wealth"?
4. Can I get and wear new clothes, which symbolizes "the wish for blessing and bounty the year ahead"?

Any biblical advice would be greatly appreciated! If these things are okay, I may need an explanation on why. Thank you, and God bless!

A difficult problem. I and others will ask God to give you wisdom. Whatever you choose, you must show respect for your family even if you do not follow the customs.
1. You can tell them that you are praying for prosperity for the coming year.
2. If you can avoid watching Lion dances, I would. There is a wrong spirit behind them. If not, ask God for protection from any effect that they might have on you.
3. Try to avoid antagonising your family. Getting your hair cut another time won't be hard. Lots of people would like an excuse to get out of housework!
4. I don't know the answer for this. Pray about it and do as your conscience tells you.

 

[npw11]

A difficult problem. I and others will ask God to give you wisdom. Whatever you choose, you must show respect for your family even if you do not follow the customs.
1. You can tell them that you are praying for prosperity for the coming year.
2. If you can avoid watching Lion dances, I would. There is a wrong spirit behind them. If not, ask God for protection from any effect that they might have on you.
3. Try to avoid antagonising your family. Getting your hair cut another time won't be hard. Lots of people would like an excuse to get out of housework!
4. I don't know the answer for this. Pray about it and do as your conscience tells you.

Religious OCD/Scrupulosity makes my conscience catastrophize a lot of things, so I don't think I can rely on my conscience.

 

[Aussie Pete]

O

Religious OCD/Scrupulosity makes my conscience catastrophize a lot of things, so I don't think I can rely on my conscience.

OK. Perhaps someone else will be more help.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

I come from a country in Asia, and the tradition in my family is that we celebrate Chinese New Year every year. How should I celebrate this festival in a biblical way, and at the same time honor my non-believing parents? For example:

1. Can I wish others "Gong Xi Fa Cai" which means "wishing you to be prosperous in the coming year"?
2. Can I watch lion dances (read here under "What Lion Dance Symbolizes")?
3. How should I respond to my family's (non-Christians) beliefs that you should not cut your hair or clean your house during Chinese New Year as they "cut away or sweep away wealth"?
4. Can I get and wear new clothes, which symbolizes "the wish for blessing and bounty the year ahead"?

Any biblical advice would be greatly appreciated! If these things are okay, I may need an explanation on why. Thank you, and God bless!

This is one of those things that means different things to different people. I actually always wanted to celebrate it because some of the Chinese restaurants in the areas I lived put on a large feast for the occasion and I love Chinese food, etc.

But when I would ask people about it, like Chinese Christians in the US, I was told things like "They don't celebrate it because they are Christians". (They are much more aware of it's origins etc.)


But I think for Americans, it can be a minor secular holiday where we celebrate Chinese culture etc. apart from whatever pagan origins it originally had.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

I followed a number of fun superstitions January 1. I had herring (silver like money), cornbread (gold like money), made vasilopita, had collard greens and black eyed peas (southern superstition). Got a kiss from the wife at midnight, swept out the doors on new years eve to get 2020 out of my house, opened the doors at midnight to let good luck in. Hopefully I have 2021 covered!

These are all cultural celebrations and superstitions and I dont recognize that these are "real" in a religious sense. Have fun with them

 

[TJB]

Any biblical advice would be greatly appreciated! If these things are okay, I may need an explanation on why. Thank you, and God bless!

Have you heard of the Chinese rites controversy - a dispute involving the Jesuits and Dominicans in the 16th and 17th century. It seemed like sour grapes to me because the Jesuit missionaries were so successful..... but the heart of it is how far can you go to inculturate (honour Chinese rituals and also Confucianism) without betraying the Gospel - e.g honouring ancestors etc. The upshot the Chinese emperor got so annoyed of the squabbling he kicked all the Christians out...

 

[GreekOrthodox]

Have you heard of the Chinese rites controversy - a dispute involving the Jesuits and Dominicans in the 16th and 17th century. It seemed like sour grapes to me because the Jesuit missionaries were so successful..... but the heart of it is how far can you go to inculturate (honour Chinese rituals and also Confucianism) without betraying the Gospel - e.g honouring ancestors etc. The upshot the Chinese emperor got so annoyed of the squabbling he kicked all the Christians out...

Christianity had reached China by the 6th century because a couple of monks managed to sneak out some silkworm eggs back to Constantinople. It died out in the 9th century when the Tang Emperor Wuzong ordered all foreign religious temples closed, Buddhism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism.

 

[npw11]

Yes, of course. That is a common greeting and "wish" in any New Year celebration, be it Lunar, Jewish, or Western. It is a kind greeting to anyone.

I get that it is a common greeting, but isn't it unbiblical to wish someone to be prosperous? Any advice from others are welcome. Thanks.

 

[tampasteve]

I get that it is a common greeting, but isn't it unbiblical to wish someone to be prosperous? Any advice from others are welcome. Thanks.

Not really. Paul wished it upon others:
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Philippians:
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

And there are numerous other scriptures about God blessing us. Saying a greeting like that is akin to praying for someone, at least that is how I have always interpreted it.

Deuteronomy:
You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

3 John:
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Psalms:
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

 

[npw11]

Not really. Paul wished it upon others:
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Philippians:
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

And there are numerous other scriptures about God blessing us. Saying a greeting like that is akin to praying for someone, at least that is how I have always interpreted it.

Deuteronomy:
You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

3 John:
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Psalms:
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

But what do you think of this article from Evangelical Times? I'll quote them:

In our Chinese New Year greetings, it is not appropriate for Christians to wish people Gong Xi Fa Cai, which refers to tangible or financial wealth for that person (emphasis mine). Wishes for peace in the new year, or eternal joy from God, are more appropriate.
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I may want to know your reasons for disagreeing with the writer here, if you don't mind. I am trying to reason with myself here that wishing Gong Xi Fa Cai is okay. Can you provide some other Scriptures for me please? Thanks, and God bless!

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[tampasteve]

The author also states in the article that he is OK with red pocket money/ ang pows:
"as long as we understand them as gestures of love and appreciation rather than symbols of an unhealthy preoccupation with wealth."

I am not sure how he is the person that gets to decide that it is OK to give money to people out of love but there is something un-Christian about wishing someone prosperity. We can certainly wish prosperity to someone out of love and appreciation.