A Christian Guide to Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year)
- Feb 16
- 4 min read
Written by Tomson Chan, a member of the Deerfoot Campus and Missions Team volunteer
Happy Lunar New Year! Streets across Asia and around the world are adorned with red lanterns and the rhythmic beat of lion dance drums. Homes are cleaned and decorated with flesh flowers, red paper blessings and filled with new year treats and festive foods. Culturally, Lunar New Year is the equivalent of combining Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day into one 15-day celebration. It marks the transition from the dormant winter to the life-giving spring.
The Chinese New Year is based on the Lunisolar Calendar. It always falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. This is why in 2026, it lands on February 17, but in other years, it can be as early as January 21. While the "Lunar New Year" (or Spring Festival) is often associated with the Chinese Zodiac. It is, at its heart, a deeply meaningful season centered on family, togetherness and a new beginning.
2026 is the year of the Horse in the traditional order of the Chinese zodiac cycle. The Chinese Zodiac is a repeating cycle of 12 years, with each year represented by an animal and its reputed attributes. Historically, this cycle was a way to keep track of years, but it has evolved into a complex system of personality archetypes and compatibility.
In many Chinese workplaces, especially in Hong Kong, it’s customary for staff to receive a "double salary" or a special bonus just before the Lunar New Year. This extra boost usually arrives in late January or February, helping people fund their trips back home. It’s a time of massive movement and celebration, where the extra money is often spent on thoughtful gifts and festive gatherings with loved ones.
Lunar New Year Through Childhood Eyes
As a kid in Hong Kong back in the 1960s, Lunar New Year was one of the most exciting and happy times of the year. This meant new clothes, good food, red pockets and lots of treats and candies, just to name a few!
Photo 1: My Family gathering during Lunar New Year. We would dress up, wear new clothes and visit families and relatives to greet each other blessings like 恭喜發財 “Gung Hei Fat Choi” (Cantonese) / “Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái” (Mandarin) – meaning, “Wish you prosperity and wealth!” We would share food and hand out red pocket money to the children.
In those days, life was simpler, and the holiday offered relief from daily routines. I still remember the crackle of firecrackers and the laughter of neighbours filling the air as they exchanged homemade turnip cakes. The preparations began with a thorough cleaning of the home before the new year (symbolizing the desire for purity), followed by the excitement of wearing brand-new clothes to welcome the year ahead. On New Year’s Eve, our family gathered for the reunion dinner, a tradition as sacred to us as Christmas Eve is to others. Before bed, we received red pockets to tuck under our pillows, with the promise of more to come.
Traditions vary depending on where one's parents originated, but for us, New Year’s Day was dedicated to visiting elderly first i.e. our grandparents. We would bring gifts and treats, and in return, we children were showered with red pockets from married relatives. We quickly learned that the "weight" of a red pocket often reflected the closeness of the bond (or the financial luck of that year!). The closer the relative, the bigger the red pocket—so we always looked forward to seeing our favorite aunts and uncles! The following days were spent visiting aunts, uncles, and peers. With school out and work paused for nearly two weeks, it was a season defined by nothing but happiness and shared blessings.
How Christians Can Engage Meaningfully During Lunar New Year
For us as a church community, this season offers a beautiful opportunity to "rejoice with those who rejoice" (Romans 12:15) and to build genuine, loving relationships with our neighbors and colleagues.
For many of our Chinese friends, it is the "togetherness" and “reunion” that matters most, very similar to family gatherings during Christmas time here in the West. In the Chinese diaspora, this is the time when families make every effort to gather around one table. It is a season of "washing away" the grievances of the past year and starting fresh: a theme that resonates with our own faith in renewal and grace.
As we seek to be a light in our community, here are some practical ways to navigate the cultural nuances with respect.
The Do’s
Give greetings. A simple "Happy New Year" or "Gong Hei Fat Choy" (Wishing you prosperity) goes a long way. It acknowledges their heritage and shows you care.
Give red pockets (Hongbao): If you have Chinese neighbors with children, giving a red envelope with a small amount of "new" money is a lovely gesture of blessing. As Christians, we can view this as a tangible way to show the generosity of Christ.
Accept hospitality. If you are invited for tea or a meal, go! Eating together is the primary "love language" in Chinese culture.
The Don’ts
If giving a gift or money, avoid the number 4 (which sounds like the word for "death"). Stick to even numbers, especially 8 (which sounds like "wealth/success").
Don't use white wrapping paper, when preparing gifts. White is traditionally the color of mourning in Chinese culture. Stick to red and gold!
How can we reflect the love of Jesus during this season?
Pray for their households. As you see the red couplets on your neighbors' doors, use them as a prompt to pray for God’s peace, protection, and salvation to move through that home.
Give the gift of “presence.” This can be a lonely time for international students or those away from family. Invite them to dinner and show them that in the Kingdom of God, they have a family.
Share your own "sweetness" and “blessings.” Bring a box of mandarin oranges (symbolizing gold/blessing) to your workplace. Mention that you are celebrating with them because you value their friendship.
Build connection. Lunar New Year is about new beginnings. This is a natural bridge to talk about the "New Creation" we find in Christ.
