Lanterns

Lantern Festival occurs on Saturday, February 24 (because it is the 15th day of the lunar new year). Most people consider this to be the end of the lunar new year celebrations.

Many view it as a fun cultural activity, with children carrying lanterns (such as the one pictured above). But there are other religious activities associated with this festival:

• The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival began in 1999. They continue the centuries-old tradition of releasing lanterns into the night sky. Lanterns are made from paper and bamboo, and are lit using a small candle or a paraffin-soaked paper. People use the lanterns to send off wishes (prayers) for well-being in the new year.
• Tainan has been chosen for this year’s national lantern festival. It is the Year of the Dragon. Among the large outdoor display of lanterns will be featured lanterns with a dragon theme.
• Baozhong Township also has a well-known tradition on Lantern Festival. The largest temple in our town organizes a celebration, “The Baozhong Feast Day,”  that will attract tens of thousands of people. People participate to obtain some of the cooked “oily rice” and through that transaction obtain blessing from the temple gods. This past week, the banners advertising the event were attached to roadside poles.

Such activities remind us that people are searching for hope, for peace, for light. Please pray that we can represent our Saviour well and introduce people to the True Light of the World.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)

 

Praise and Prayer