As the Lantern Festival approaches, we’re delighted to share this reprint from Gospel Times, highlighting the festival’s origins and a Chinese believer’s encounter with the light of Christ in his earnest search for life’s truth. May this inspire us to be radiant with his light and continue sharing it with those still in darkness.
The Significance of the Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival is fast approaching. According to Chinese tradition, it is an important celebration following the Lunar New Year. It marks the first full moon of the year, symbolizing a new beginning and the arrival of spring.
The Origins of the Lantern Festival
According to folklore, long ago, a divine bird became lost and landed on earth, only to be mistakenly shot by an unwitting hunter. The Jade Emperor was enraged upon learning of this incident and commanded his celestial soldiers to set earth ablaze on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, intending to punish humanity.
However, the Jade Emperor’s kind-hearted daughter could not bear to see innocent people suffer and risked her life to warn them. The news struck fear into everyone, leaving them in despair.
After much deliberation, an elder suggested a plan: From the 14th to the 16th day of the first lunar month, every household should hang red lanterns, set off firecrackers, and light fireworks. This will create the illusion that the land is already ablaze, fooling the Jade Emperor.
The people agreed and prepared accordingly. On the night of the fifteenth, the celestial soldiers observed the fiery red glow across the land and reported back to the Jade Emperor that the earth was already engulfed in flames. Thus, humanity was spared.
Since then, people commemorate this event every year by hanging lanterns and setting off fireworks on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Lanterns and the Light of Life
Each Lantern Festival, as I see the warm orange glow radiating from lanterns adorning the streets, I can’t help but reflect: each lantern lights the way forward. As Christians, have we truly found the light of life?
Seeking Meaning Through Chinese Philosophy
During my university years, I pondered a fundamental question: What kind of life should one pursue? Inspired by Confucian classics like The Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Analects, and Mencius, I admired the Confucian ideal of cultivating oneself, regulating one’s family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world.
The lofty vision of “establishing the heart for heaven and earth, ensuring the livelihood of the people, continuing the wisdom of ancient sages, and paving the way for eternal peace” deeply resonated with me.
Yet, as I delved deeper into these teachings, I realized their limitations. While rich in moral guidance, they often appeared rigid and lacked the vibrancy of real life. Gradually, the Confucian ideal of sainthood drifted away from me.
Turning to Zhuangzi: The Quest for Spiritual Freedom
Later, I discovered the philosophy of Zhuangzi, whose tranquil brilliance aligned with my personality. His disdain for material pursuits and emphasis on spiritual freedom captivated me as a young literary enthusiast yearning for freedom.
However, repeated readings left me disheartened. Zhuangzi saw life with such clarity that it rendered action meaningless. If everyone adopted his detachment, society would stagnate, and the world would regress—a stark contrast to the dynamic modern age.
Exploring Western Philosophy: A Journey Through Thought
In the latter part of my university years, I turned to Western philosophy—Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger. The more I read, the more confused I became. My mind became a racetrack of thoughts and philosophies, alternating between clarity and chaos, but my soul found no true peace.
Although these works often referenced the Bible, I resisted reading it, as I considered myself an atheist with a natural aversion to religion.
A Turning Point: Encountering the Light of Christ
One day, by chance, I unearthed a long-forgotten Bible buried under a pile of books. Brushing off the dust, I opened it, and a door quietly unlocked within me. Light began to fill my heart.
At the time, I was in a spiritual crisis, struggling to find peace and enduring rejection in my job search.
When I read the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, my perspective changed:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:3-10)
As I reflected on my own struggles and the promise of blessings and comfort in God’s kingdom, tears streamed down my face.
The Bible: A Constant Companion in My Journey
From then on, the Bible became my constant companion. Whether in classrooms or libraries, at worship services or fellowship gatherings, I eagerly sought connections between its teachings and my spiritual life. I longed to find the light that could illuminate my path.
My Bible, filled with notes and colorful highlights, bears the marks of countless hours of study. Its pages, now worn, hold my journey of searching for the light of life. Even in the age of smartphones and tablets, I often run my fingers over its pages, reminiscing about the moment its light first shone upon me and the bittersweet beauty of my youth.
Walking in the True Light
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12).
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).
As the Lantern Festival approaches, I am reminded of the warm orange glow of the lanterns. May the light of God always shine upon every Christian’s life. May we forever walk in his light and receive the blessings of eternal life.
Editor’s note: This article was originally written in Chinese by 江舟 (Jiāng Zhōu), a believer from Xinyu, Jiangxi and was translated and edited by the ChinaSource team with permission.
Are you enjoying a cup of good coffee or fragrant tea while reading the latest ChinaSource post? Consider donating the cost of that “cuppa” to support our content so we can continue to serve you with the latest on Christianity in China.