The Year of the Goat

Quick and easy breakfast: A sliced navel orange sprinkled with coconut flakes and pistachios and drizzled with honey. All served on a pretty Chinese plate, since today is the Chinese New Year.

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. My son and I walked over to our church to receive the ashes. We missed the 3:30 service so instead we went at 7, when it was dark outside. The snow squeaked under our winter boots. It was very cold.

“It feels strange to be out walking in the dark,” my son said.

“Do you want me to sing you a spooky song about ghastly things?” I asked.

“No!”

His hand suddenly grabbed mine a little tighter. We walked briskly so as to not miss the 7 service also. When we got to the church, we went inside and took our places in the pew. There were quite a lot of people there. The priest, Father Trevor from England, stood up and said a few words before blessing and distributing the ashes.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, which mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert. Father Trevor said to use this time to take stock of our lives, to really look things over and “where there’s a gap – fill it”. He also, of course, reminded us to give something up for Lent. Traditionally, people give up meat. I don’t eat meat, so I’ve decided to give up candy during Lent. For me, that’s harder to give up than any other food. But I believe we can try to give up other bad habits, too. We can give up gossiping, we can give up being always in a rush, we can give up anger. We can try to be a bit more in control of ourselves.

Today marks Chinese New Year, the longest national holiday in China. We’re entering the Year of the Goat. The Chinese have 12 zodiac animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The lucky colors of the Goat are brown, red, and purple, the lucky numbers are 2 and 7 and the flowers are carnation and primrose. If you or someone you know were born in 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, or 2003, then you and or that person is a Goat. Goats are calm, gentle, creative, thoughtful, yet frank and honest.

It’s important to wear something red today. According to Chinese mythology, the monster Nian comes out to eat people (preferably children) on New Year, but he’s afraid of the color red. So wear red today, put some food outside your door to stave off Nian’s hunger, and throw some firecrackers (Nian’s afraid of the noise) and celebrate!

I like how Lent and Chinese New Year come together like this, hand in hand sort of. I will also use it. Whenever an opportunity for renewal and introspection is offered, I say “Take it!” who knows when you will have the chance again?

So let’s give something up for 40 days, let’s think of the ways in which we can help others, let’s set apart some time for introspection, but let’s also celebrate with our Chinese friends.

A New Year, my friends. A new beginning. Gong Xi Fa Cai! Gong Hey Fat Choy!