“THOU CROWNEST THE YEAR WITH THY GOODNESS”

Every race and culture has its own unique way of celebrating the New Year.  There are, however, two similarities in all cultures – New Year is a time of family reunion and thanksgiving.  The New Year celebration has social importance; it is a time of family get-together. All children, whether married or away at work, will return to their parents’ home for the reunion feast.  Every culture deems the family reunion a beautiful thing and such a gathering is not to be missed.  The experiences of the past year, no matter how inconspicuous or painful they might have been, are all erased by the return of loved ones.  This is one of the reasons why people feel sad when they could not return home for the reunion.
The New Year celebration also has a religious significance; it is a thanksgiving celebration.  In almost every culture there is a religious ceremony to thank God for the blessings of the past year.  The Chinese New Year is called Spring Festival because it falls on the first day of the new moon which marks the beginning of the Spring season.  The Chinese New Year is also called "New Year according to the farming calendar" because it celebrates the earth’s coming back to life after the snowy winter and the start of a new farming season. 
Unfortunately the celebration of the Chinese New Year today has been clouded with superstitious beliefs such as: no sweeping or dusting on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away, eating melon seeds so that the married couple will soon have a baby, having fish on the table or a meal of yu sheng and the year will be prosperous. Christians should not believe these concepts in celebrating the New Year.
In Psalm 65 and verse 11, David says of God, “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.”  The word “crownest” in the original language means to surround.  Here we have His promise that He will bless the whole year with goodness and abundance (drop fatness).
Some of us went through a difficult time in the year 2009.  Some were affected by the economic downturn and lost their jobs, some were stricken with sickness and others had their loved ones taken away.  Dear brothers and sisters, no matter how arduous the year 2009 was, the Lord has seen us through it.  We can confidently say that He will guide us through the New Year.
What should we do in the New Year?   David begins his New Year Psalm by saying, “Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.” (Psalm 65:1).  We start the New Year by praising and worshiping God.  It is so blessed to spend the first day of the Chinese New Year worshipping in God’s house – as we are doing this morning!
The phrase “Praise waiteth for thee” may be translated as “to thee belongs praise.”  The word “waiteth” in Hebrew means silence.  This word is often used to depict a person who confidently waits on the Lord.  A man of faith will praise and worship God while he waits for His mercy and grace.
The Jewish New Year is known as “Rosh Hashanah” meaning, “Head of the Year.”  The festival falls on the month Tishri (7th) of Hebrew Calendar, which is sometime between September and October in our Julian Calendar.  On this special day, the Jews observe the Sabbath, the priests blow trumpets (ram’s horn) to signal the beginning of the civil new year and a reminder of their covenant relationship to God and, all Jews will attend a holy gathering. (Leviticus 23:23-25)  The purpose is to worship God.  On this day the Jews praise Him for the Creation of Adam and Eve and the Salvation He has prepared for all fallen men.

Conclusion:
During this festive season, while we are celebrating and indulging in fine food, do not forget to be thankful.  If you feel that the future for you is bleak, let me encourage you by saying that God crowns your days with His goodness - He “crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (Psalm 103: 4). This is His promise.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

WISHING ALL A “BLESSED CHINESE NEW YEAR!”
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7: 14 

By Rev. Lim Chee Boon