We take advantage of the Year of the Wood Dragon to celebrate deep cultural and spiritual traditions and values that infuse the spirit of family reunions, visiting and exchanging gifts and good wishes with loved ones and friends, and reevaluating and renewing one’s life in the days ahead. The start of a new year is more than just the turning of a page; it’s a time for everyone to take stock of their lives and make a fresh start.
In 2023, the famous Bollywood biopic movie, 12th Fail, narrated the inspiring story of a poor Indian boy who failed his high school exams but, with dedication and hard work, cracked the coveted Indian Police Service [IPS] exam with a magical slogan: “Restart!” The IPS Officer Manoj Kumar Sharma had faced umpteen failures in his life and would have ended up a failure had the slogan “Restart” not resonated in his ears every time he failed.
New Year is a call for a ‘restart’ of the life projects we are passionate about. The New Year of the Dragon symbolises a restart with a sense of hope, encouraging us to set goals, seize new opportunities and work hard with dedication and determination.
The Church in the Chinese world is deeply rooted in Chinese traditions and values, and celebrates the Lunar New Year with gratitude to our ancestors for creating the history that keeps us connected and with determination to foster family ties to keep us together.
The dragon, the luckiest and most auspicious of the 12 animals in the Zodiac calendar, is thought to signify unprecedented opportunities. Dragon years are said to allow people to pursue their dreams with creativity, passion, courage, and confidence as they harness the creature’s intelligence, leadership, and abilities. Let us not miss the chance to grab the moment to be passionate and courageous in our family and social relations to live a serene and happy life.
The New Year is also a good time to reflect on the past year, evaluate its ups and downs, give thanks for our blessings, and make resolutions for the year ahead. Faith inspires us to foster a sense of belonging and togetherness and encourages us to engage in charitable initiatives that reflect our commitment to compassion and social justice. Embracing the spirit of giving, the Church aims to uplift the lives of people and make a positive impact on society.
Chinese New Year is particularly significant because it affects people beyond their geographical, linguistic, political, or religious boundaries. Therefore, it serves as a great opportunity for the Church to connect with people from other faiths through mutual respect and friendship.
A common New Year message from Hong Kong’s six religious leaders this year has called for the Year of the Dragon to be one of “accompanying our young people, expanding our innovative mindset, harmonising all different ethnicities, and improving the quality of life. Public welfare is what makes us feel responsible, and when we feel belonging, there is no parting.” jose, CMF
