The Way Home: A Mid-Autumn Reflection
The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. According to our calendar, this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 17th September.
Mooncakes, a pastry shaped like the full moon, is a centrepiece of the festival. The full moon shines brightest during this time, its glow a reminder that even when we are far apart, our hearts are connected by the celestial body that shines over us all.
Thus, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a significant celebration for Chinese people worldwide, symbolizing family togetherness.
Jurong Christian Church couldn’t wait to hold a large gathering of families and neighbours to have an early celebration of the festival on 7th September.
That the full moon evokes longing for home and loved ones was well-illumined by the poem 靜夜思 (Jìng Yè Sī), by the Tang dynasty poet 李白 (Li Bai).
I like it that Deacon Nathan brought out this poem in his festival message of hope to about 100 attendees on 7th September.
(Even my 11-month-old granddaughter has been introduced to this short Li Bai’s poem played out on her little aeroplane musical toy. Even if the baby does not understand a word of it, hopefully she enjoys the rhyme of the poetry.) ?
Here goes the poem:
靜夜思 (Jìng Yè Sī)
床前明月光 (Chuáng qián míng yuè guāng)
疑是地上霜 (Yí shì dìshàng shuāng)
舉頭望明月 (Jǔ tóu wàng míng yuè)
低頭思故鄉 (Dītóu sī gùxiāng)
For the benefit of those who don’t understand Chinese, here is a rendering of the poem in English:
Quiet Night Thoughts
Moonlight spills through window facing my bed,
Frost seems to have covered the ground.
I lift my gaze to the bright moon in the sky,
I lower my head at the thought of home.
The comforting thought of home serves as a steady guide through life’s storms. The joyous reunion with loved ones upon homecoming is a sweet embrace in a familiar space.
For Christians, the yearning for homecoming extends beyond this earthly realm. Their longing is for an eternal view, a heavenly sphere where peace and joy endure forever.
Thanks to Deacon Nathan for the following points that I gleaned from his message at the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration.
On the topic，回家的路 （The Way Home）, Deacon Nathan shared the Bible story about a perfect home called the Garden of Eden. It was a place of harmony where humans lived in peace with God. Sadly, because of disobedience, humanity was driven out of this paradise and into a world filled with sin and suffering.
But God didn’t abandon us. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us. Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and offer us forgiveness. He rose from the dead, proving His power over sin and death.
Through Jesus, we can find our way back to God and experience a true homecoming. It’s like finding our way back to the Garden of Eden; but this time, it’s a heavenly home. (John 14:2)
To return to this heavenly home, we must admit our wrongs, turn away from sin, and trust in Jesus as our Saviour. He will change our lives and make us part of God’s family.
Conclusion
As we celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with our loved ones, admire the beauty of the full moon (God’s creation) and relish the warmth of our earthly homes, let’s also remember the ultimate homecoming that Jesus offers.
A moonlit night, a festive cheer,
As loved ones gather, year by year.
We celebrate, with hearts aflame,
God’s wondrous works, His holy name.
But let us not forget the prize,
A heavenly home, where joy resides.
With Jesus Christ, our Saviour true,
A homecoming, eternal, new.
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