2 Corinthians 5:17

Let us walk in the freedom that Christ has given to us

Dear KY Family,
We have entered into the third month of the year and also into two significant seasons that have overlapped this year. The first is that of the Lunar New Year. For this, allow me to wish everyone a very blessed Chinese New Year – May you experience the love of family and the joy of reunions! Many will celebrate the 15th day of the Lunar New Year with the ones closest and dearest. May this gathering be one filled with meaningful moments, and perhaps even the opportunity to share a testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness!
The second season is that of the season of Lent. Historically, the 40-day season of Lent was a period of time set aside in the traditional church calendar as a period of preparation for baptismal candidates, and for the church to contemplate (once again) the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and to look forward to His final return.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17)

To appropriately commemorate the season of Lent, the church generally encourages a period of grief for the suffering of Jesus which we know culminates with the celebration of Easter and the resurrection of Christ. It is known by some as the season of “bright sadness” — a profound combination of sadness and joy. The Lenten season began this year on Ash Wednesday 18th February which coincided with the second day of the Lunar New Year. How can we marry the two different occasions so that as a church, we may celebrate the coming of a new year joyfully but also give due consideration to the Lenten season along with all the Body of Christ around the world?
Firstly, let us recognise that the seasons of the church are meant to serve the Body and not to burden further. As the Sabbath was made for men and not the other way around (Mark 2:27), so also is the season of Lent meant for the meaningful engagement of Christians with the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Secondly, let us incorporate selected spiritual disciplines to help us reconnect with the Lord even during the festive occasion. While fasting is the discipline closely associated with Lent, there are other disciplines that we can take on during this period that may be more palatable. Prayer, meditation, or study of Scripture are some disciplines that can be undertaken if uninterrupted time is short.
Finally, let us walk in the freedom that Christ has given to us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. In a similar vein, the CNY season has a notable theme of removing the old and welcoming the new. Perhaps we may, in our walking “in newness of life”, attract the notice of our family and friends. I am praying for us that this CNY season, we may see some “new” things being birthed – maybe even some closest to us coming to salvation!
May God bless you this CNY season, and may we enter the season of Lent with “bright sadness” looking forward to the return of Jesus Christ our Lord!