A Contemplation for the New Year

I knew some of you would be disappointed if I didn’t show you the Canadian postage stamp for 2013, celebrating the Chinese New Year, so here it is. This year is the Year of the Snake, not just any snake but a Water Snake. Thanks to Stephanie Georgieff’s workshop on studying the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe during Living Gold, I now look upon images with much more observance. First, note the colours of green and gold, with a little red snake in one corner. What do these colours say to you? Think of the colours that we observe at the altar during certain festivals: green, red and gold. Next, observe the shape of this snake, again, very interesting – almost like a lemniscate. What does this symbol mean to you? The fact that it is a Water snake is also very interesting. Think of the symbology of water in the Old Testament, and, as we heard this past Sunday, the transformation of water into wine, the First Miracle in the New Testament. According to the Chinese, the Year of the Snake means that anything is possible. It’s very interesting that it is this particular symbol that meets us as we enter a new cycle of time (post 2012). Think also of the fact that a snake can shed its skin. Traditionally, in preparation for the New Year, the Chinese pay all their debts and clean their house from top to bottom. In other words, they like to start off the new year with a clean slate.The evening before, all the families gather together, much like we do for Christmas, here in Canada, or Thanksgiving, in the States. An old employer of mine who was from Hong Kong taught me this phrase: Kung Hay Tim Ding Fat Choy (reverent joy, many children/grandchildren, and prosperity). Sparky