Well it is the end of the year here in Tokyo! People everywhere are preparing for the big year end celebration. I just heard on the television that the shinkansen trains were at 150 percent capacity yesterday as families head to their hometowns for the New Year's Holiday.
So what do Japanese do for the year end? Here are few of the traditions...a visit to the shrine to pray for health and properity in the new year, buckwheat soba noodles on New Year's Eve for good luck, and a thorough cleaning of the home (much like our spring cleaning in the U.S.) New Year's day is for eating sechi ryori which is various foods that can be cooked ahead of time and set out for the day. This keeps mom from having to prepare anything special on the actual new years day.
As much as Christmas Day is special to us, New Year's Day is special for the Japanese people. Sadly, much of the holiday centers around the superstitious belief that by doing and eating certain things they can ward off evil and insure blessing and peace . I pray for the day when Japanese will celebrate New Year's Day by worshipping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the only true source of peace and hope. Ringing a bell at the shrine to wake up the gods pales in comparison to the joy of talking to the God who never slumbers nor sleeps!
Would you pray with us that the Japanese people will open their hearts to the good news of Jesus Christ and of His incredible love for them!
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