Sawadi Bpi Mai! (Happy New Year!) Here’s to new beginnings, including a personal resolution to keep this blog better updated!
Many Festivities; Few in Honor of Jesus
New Year’s here is the Thai equivilent of Christmas, in terms of significance to them. One would think the Christmas trees, English-language Christmas carols (many blatantly about the birth of Jesus), red and green decorations were all in honor of Christ’s birthday. But now, Christmas has come and gone with very few Thais even realizing December 25th was a holiday. The festive atmosphere, meant to simply imitate the holiday trappings of the much-esteemed West, is all about ringing in the new year.
The arguably second most significant holiday here is the king’s birthday, December 5. It’s closest equivilent in the US is the Fourth of July. Parties with friends and families, decorations, and, of course, fireworks. In the evening the king gives a live speech on TV which the entire Thai population watches with rapt attention. This year the program also led the people in patriotic songs, which could be heard sung in stereo as groups belted out the melodies all over the city. There truly is a unanimous deep respect and love for the king in this country.
But on the birthday of the King of Kings, only small pockets of believers paid their respects.
During one of my recent language lessons my Thai tutor Jum, a Christian, remarked that every Christmas she feels lonely. “Why?” “Because I just think of Jesus, all alone in that cold stable…” So few people witnessed the birth of the Messiah that night. And so few people honored it here this year, just like every year prior. No wonder Jum feels lonely, with so few of her people joining her in celebrating the greatest miracle and gift of love creation has ever received.
“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace…” Jesus cried, as he wept over Jerusalem. He goes on to prophesy about coming destruction of the city. “…They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (Luke 19:42-44) Of course, “God’s coming” was Christ himself, sent first to God’s people, the Jews, who were to reject him. Oh Bangkok, when will you recognize God’s coming to you? Thailand, nation that honors its king for his compassion toward the commoner, when will you worship the King who dwelt among us, took on our poverty and then the very punishment for our crimes? Like a father you revere this earthly king, wise but mortal. Oh that you would receive the embrace of your waiting, eternal and perfect Father. How he longs to bring you peace! Peace from your strivings after the favors of idols, peace from the plagues that ravage your society and your homes, peace from the fear of an uncertain next life.
This is my prayer, Lord.
