On Wednesday, January 29 , many Chinese and East Asians in this country and abroad celebrated the Lunar New Year. Here in our diocese, there were a number of celebrations. At the beginning of February, nearly 700 people gathered in Leeds Minster to attend a Lunar New Year Market where the richness of Chinese culture was on display. At the event, His Majesty the King was represented by one of his deputy lieutenants who spoke of the value of people from Hong Kong and China who have made their home in the UK. Also, at one of my churches in North Leeds, we celebrated with a wonderful Lunar New Year lunch after the service, organised by many of the Hong Kongers who are now an important part of our congregation.
Each Lunar New Year is represented by an animal in the Chinese Zodiac, and this year is the Year of the Snake. Needless to say, the snake is not the most popular animal in the zodiac, and this is especially true for some Christians for whom the snake conjures up negative connotations through the biblical story of the snake in the Garden of Eden.
However, in Chinese culture, snakes are often associated with wisdom, flexibility and intuition, and even in the biblical narrative, snakes aren’t always bad news. In John 3:14, Jesus speaks of the time when Moses set up a bronze snake on a pole at a time when the Israelites were being plagued by poisonous snakes, and whoever looked upon the bronze snake would be healed by God. Jesus uses this imagery to speak of himself when he would be lifted up on the cross, just like the bronze snake on the pole, and that whoever looks upon him and puts their trust in him would receive healing in the form of forgiveness of sin and new life.
As we mark this Year of the Snake, may each of us receive the blessing of looking upon him who was lifted up on the cross so that we may receive healing and new life. A very happy Lunar New Year to you - 新年快樂 (Sun Lin Faai Lok!)