Family Reunions: A Time to Share the Good News
Like salmon swimming upstream, many I know undertook long, tiring journeys home during the CNY holidays. A Facebook post detailed a family’s 7- hour up-country trip to the east coast of Malaysia to visit relatives that they have not met for more than 25 years. Others endured long queues at checkpoints to visit their relatives in KL, Penang and other states. What drives them to do this at this particular time of the year? Wouldn’t a less-crowded period be easier?
The “Reunion Dinner”, called 团年饭 (tuán nián fàn) in Chinese, is a cherished Spring Festival tradition. Held on Chinese New Year’s Eve, it goes beyond good food. It is also about gathering and connecting with family members, relatives, and friends, many of whom we only get to meet once a year. The elaborate spread features symbolic and auspicious dishes like abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw, black moss (“fat choy” – rhyming with “good fortune” in Cantonese) and dried oysters. Unfortunately, we had to buy pizza for my son-in-law’s brother-in-law who is a Caucasian.
What are some of the topics commonly brought up at such reunions? For the singles, “When you getting married, ah?” For the married, “When you going to have kids, ah?” For the retired elders, “What you do in your retirement, ah?” These are some of the standard questions that your relatives will ask when they have not seen you for a long time. Standard answers include, “Still have not found the right one,” or “Still trying,” or “Nothing”. Instead, share how your life has been blest for the past year because you are a believer. Express your faith that God will provide you what you need or find purpose for your life in retirement, in His time.
“Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19)
In my case, I visit my family about 4 times a year, so we are quite up to date with our happenings. During the CNY, on one trip home by TADA, I met a driver who had a model of the Kaaba on his dashboard. Curious, I asked him if he had been to Saudi Arabia. He told me that he was a Muslim and that the model was presented to him by his uncle. This led to an amicable inter-faith conversation. We acknowledged that Jesus was born of a virgin, as mentioned in both the Bible and Quran. I mentioned that Jesus will be coming back again and he added his comment about the Judgment Day. The discussion stopped upon reaching my destination. I pray that, considering that both of us acknowledge Jesus as the Judge, the sharing I had with him will spark some reflection on how one should live one’s life before that great and dreadful day when Jesus comes.
A lot of people are waiting for ideal circumstances where everything is perfect, but sometimes the most meaningful connections happen spontaneously.
Any person you meet may be excited about what you have to tell them. Christians must learn how to discuss Jesus effectively. Like cooking, sharing your faith is a skill honed through trial and error. When you begin stepping out of your comfort zone, you’ll get better at creating opportunities to share your faith spontaneously and harmoniously.
Jesus tells us, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:44). It’s God who is doing the work of changing hearts. We should pray and point people in the direction of Him.
May all your Family Reunions (including any gatherings after CNY) be a time of leading your families to salvation in Jesus’ name.
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