Celebrating Lunar New Year with Churches in Hong Kong

Every child in East Asia knows the Lunar New Year story: The Emperor of Heaven wanted to create a 12-year calendar system with each year named for a different animal. He decided to hold a race in which the first 12 animals to finish would have the privilege of being represented in one year of the 12-year zodiac cycle. Some details about the race vary depending on what country you’re from, but the actions of each animal reveal a slice of their personality. For example, the cunning rat jumped off the ox’s back to complete the race first, and the laid-back pig almost lost the race completely because he took a nap. The 12 animals who reached the finish line first included (from first to last): rat, ox/cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat/sheep, monkey, rooster/chicken, dog, and pig (in the Vietnamese version of the zodiac, a cat is used in place of the rabbit).

For more than 2,000 years, this treasured fable has inspired the most popular holiday in East Asia. Each year it occurs anytime between late December and the end of February, depending on the lunar cycle. The Lunar New Year of 2026 will take place on February 17, just one day before Ash Wednesday. An interesting fact I learned is that in years such as this that coincide with Lent, the bishop of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong will write to the Pope on Catholic Hong Kongers’ behalf. He requests that they receive a ‘cultural exemption from Lenten traditions’, such as fasting, and the Pope grants it every year. Lunar New Year is, after all, a time of parties, grand dinners, and excited revelry.

I spent the formative years of my ministry journey in Hong Kong. I graduated from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Shatin and worked for churches and a religious nonprofit in the city. In Hong Kong (where Lunar New Year is often referred to as “Chinese New Year”), I saw Protestant bookstores selling children’s books about the story of the Lunar New Year. These cutely illustrated publications talked about God, rather than the Emperor of Heaven, gathering animals together for the race. For Christians in Hong Kong, the beloved folklore story is a part of their culture that goes side-by-side with the virtues of their faith.

In Hong Kong, Lunar New Year is celebrated across seven days. Lunar New Year traditions emphasize spreading good fortune for family first and foremost. However, friends, coworkers, and fellow members of organizations also celebrate together, including Bible studies and other church groups. I have seen congregations in Hong Kong decorate their buildings with red and yellow streamers or lanterns, displaying the traditional colors of the holiday. Like families, some church groups participate in special dinners with delicacies that they normally would not spend on at any other time of year.

Another widespread seasonal practice is handing out lai see 利是, pocket-sized packets that contain small amounts of money (also called “red envelopes”). This tradition acts as a sign of goodwill and generosity. Many other East Asian countries have a similar practice. The lai see are especially given to subordinates, such as from bosses to their employees and from adults to children. Married couples are expected to give lai see to single people they know. Some Hong Kongers still view marriage as a higher status than singlehood while many others disagree and no longer view marriage as a hierarchical factor. Nevertheless, the tradition of married couples giving lai see to single adults in their lives continues. 

Everyone is also expected to give lai see to acquaintances they may run into around Lunar New Year. Some situations also warrant the giving of lai see to strangers. During the Lunar New Year break, many people carry around lai see when they are out in public. Years ago, I saw a band playing in the local park and passersby were putting lai see in the tip bucket instead of plain money. This practice resounds with Christian teaching about the virtues of generosity and compassion.

In churches, a  celebration with the entire congregation typically takes place on the Sunday closest to the first day of the Lunar New Year. The festivities often begin with a worship service that includes a sermon inspired by the new year’s zodiac animal. For example, when 2017 was the Year of the Rooster/Chicken, I preached about Peter denying Jesus three times before the rooster crowed (Matthew 26:69-76). I talked about the rooster’s role as a symbol of honesty and its zodiac reputation for being a sharp observer. The rooster’s call was a part of God’s story to reveal the truth of Peter’s betrayal and it caused Peter to view his actions in a different light. For a pastor preaching in the Year of the Goat/Sheep, there are of course several Bible passages to choose from!

During years that feature a zodiac animal that is not found in the Bible, sermons may focus on Biblical excerpts that involve some of the animal’s zodiac personality traits, such as the monkey’s innate curiosity and enthusiasm or the dragon’s confidence and wisdom. This Lunar New Year of 2026 will be the Year of the Horse, so if you attend a church in Hong Kong, you may hear a sermon like one I enjoyed in 2014. The preacher elaborated upon Job 39:19-25, which describes both the positive and negative traits of horses that are brave, energetic, and strong (which happen to align with some horse zodiac traits!). 

After the Lunar New Year worship service, the congregation typically enjoys special new year treats like fruit candy, rice balls, and butter cookies. Afterwards there may be a calligraphy demonstration or calligraphy competition. Children play games while adults mingle. For Christians in Hong Kong, the holiday draws together their fellowships around a spirit of love for all humanity and the many kinds of families we are a part of, from the ones we were born into to those we form with friends and fellow church members. The significance of the zodiac animals comes from their various talents and flaws, just like the people born in those zodiac years. Every zodiac animal has much to offer society, and our gatherings would be incomplete without the diversity of personalities and perspectives that enrich our spiritual journey.

If you come from an East Asian background and are serving a church outside of East Asia, I hope you will consider bringing your Lunar New Year traditions to your church. Or, if you are outside of East Asia and have members of your church from East Asia, consider asking them to contribute their Lunar New Year traditions. There are many ways to celebrate God’s blessings, and sharing Lunar New Year within the Christian context is an excellent way to bring the church together as one family in Christ.