Round and round!

By Captain Tan Guat Hai.

Chinese people love things round or circular for the character has the same pronunciation as the word “fate”. Our dining table is round-shaped, so are our Mooncakes during the winter solstice. We also enjoy the round-shaped dumplings. All these rounded items symbolize “reunion”, which to the Chinese means that there is no gap or separation.

There is a saying that comes from the Chinese people of old: “When the ‘moon is full’, people gather in unity – as a family circle where there is no gap.” It signifies completeness. From past history, people have already learnt this principle. For a home to be complete, it must be united. The people of old have also learnt from the full moon that a family needs to bond together and unite. Therefore, reunion meals further remind us that as a family, we should let go of all hatred and grievances, and sit together for a meal without any sense of disconnection, for the purpose of mutual acceptance and reconciliation. As we face each other around the table in this way, only then we will attain a true sense of unity.

In Exodus 12: 3-4, it is recorded: Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. Before facing a tremendous challenge, God wanted the Israelites to be united as a family, joining their hearts to confront the challenge ahead of them. In actual fact, it is the same for the Chinese reunion meal!

God wants us to join our hearts and face the challenges together that might arise in the coming year. Unity is strength!

It seems difficult for young people in this day and age to know how to treasure the importance of family. They always seem to feel that parents are restricting, nagging, controlling, and they would rather believe and even trust in strangers or friends, instead of parents and family members. We have to understand that not every parent is apt at expressing themselves. Usually parents mean well, but they might have used the wrong method or words, causing the children to receive the incorrect message that may have made them think their parents were interfering and meddlesome. We are unable to choose our parents, just as they cannot choose us. It is not by chance that we are brought together as a family, for it is in the providence of God. Therefore we need to have acceptance and reconciliation within our family circle to enjoy full unity before God. It is hoped that rebellious young people, after experiencing many trials and hardships, will finally wake up to the importance of their family. How much sense does it make to waste time going on a wild goose chase, before this principle is discovered?

A mother gives a great amount of her time, attention and effort into the preparation of this special traditional meal. This shows how much she values her family’s togetherness for the Chinese New Year reunion dinner!

As Chinese New Year comes round again, may our celebrations remind us that as a family - parents, brothers and sisters – we should be united and in harmony, not only with each other, but with God. It is God Who completes our circle, bringing to it full unity.

Wishing you a blessed Chinese New Year! May you each have a great reunion with your family by giving God His rightful place when you meet and every day in your lives!