Why I only celebrated Chinese New Year at Church

Chinese New Year has just passed and many went back to their hometowns to be with family and celebrate. While I don't object to people seeing their relatives and friends during this festive period, I do object to the increasing materialistic behaviour and attitudes of modern society, particularly, and scarily, the young children.

This year, I chose only to celebrate at church. I did not go on the wild road race to visit relatives and friends and indulge in big meals and fancy gatherings. Instead, I just went to Mass and enjoyed the lion dance, fire crackers and a simple fellowship with someone who had nobody to celebrate with. Why? Because my priority was to give glory to God. That is what we're called to. Not to fancy dinners and counting "ang pow" (red packets of money) and being gluttons, comparing how much better one family's celebration is to another's.

The fact I was celebrating with someone who had nobody else to be with her really struck me. Not because I'm trying to be all self-righteous or anything, but rather because it taught me something. It taught me that the world is too busy. People are too busy with their own friends, their own families, and those whom they usually hang out with and know to realise that there are some people who are left on their own who would love to join in the fellowship, but don’t want to intrude on other's plans. Sometimes I wish people would be more open to those around them and start to realise that there are people who are lonely and need company, and one extra person in the house is not going to be a burden – there's always left over food from all these events because people often indulge in feasts and buffets, even catering for such gatherings. But I find people so disinterested to welcome the "stranger" even though they may know the person from work or church or some other activity. So what then, is the point of saying, "Love your neighbour as yourself" or "Welcome the stranger", when we fail to practice it most of the time?

Again, the commerciality of society has trapped us into believing that we should spend money to boast about all that we have. The more ang pow you give, the richer you are. It has become a way of showing off instead of being a symbolic token to wish the young ones well on their journey of growing up. Nowadays, it is common to hear young children, maybe 6 or 7 years old complaining about "only receiving RM10". That's actually a lot when you consider how many children need to receive according to the customs of Chinese New Year. Many of the older generation said they were happy to receive RM2. The true significance of family gatherings has been lost to the selfie/wefie/groufie culture, or to taking photos instead of actually spending quality time together. The festival has become an excuse to run from one place to the next in some road race to try and say one has been to more places than their friends.

So, I ask you, what is truly important to you? Showing off all you have and did? Or fellowshipping with your friends and family and welcoming others from the community to show them love and care? Think about it. Reflect on it. See what you could do in future to love your neighbours and welcome the stranger into your homes.