Belmont University Advent GuideParaugs

In China, Chinese New Year is the biggest and the most important holiday. One month prior to the coming of the festival, people start to make preparations for it. Parents shop for new clothes for children, buy various food and snacks, and give the house a thorough cleaning. Sons and daughters working in the cities away from home are eager to book their train or plane tickets so that they can reach home and be with their parents for a family reunion on the eve of the New Year. Everyone is overwhelmed with happiness! I experienced all of this excitement and reveled in its celebrations from my childhood, and I still hold vivid and fond memories of those many days together as a family.

Then starting from 2003 when I came to the United States following my commitment to Christ, things have changed. Instead of celebrating Chinese New Year as usual as in China, I have joined my friends in their homes or at church in the celebration of Christmas. Family has taken on a new meaning to me. While my earthly family will always be dear to me, I am now part of the family of God. I have a heavenly father who is the creator of the universe and loves me unconditionally. I have a host of brothers and sisters who follow the Lord and care for each other.

This does not mean that I have forgotten the Chinese New Year tradition and its deep message about family. It means that the coming of Jesus is the bringing together of all persons into a family. At first, upon my arrival in the U.S., I saw Christmas only as an important holiday and an occasion for family reunion like Chinese New Year; by and by I realized that the true meaning for Christmas goes far beyond the gifts under the tree, the lights in the yard and the turkey on the table. As a matter of fact, the birth of Jesus Christ is the quintessential center of our celebration! Christmas is the occasion for families to gather in a grand reunion of happiness like in China at New Year, but it also brings us the hope, joy and love that heal our families and inspire them with purpose and meaning! The birth of Christ announces to the whole world that people will not live in the darkness any more but will have a Savior and Messiah! As our Lord summons us, “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” (Psalm 32.11)

Christmas is a season of great joy, and Jesus is the reason for this season!

Qingjun (Joan) Li
Assistant Professor of Asian Studies and Chinese