December 18, 2018:  Winter Festival, Christmas and 2019

This Saturday is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, marking the Winter Festival (冬節) which is the second most important festival of the Chinese calendar.

Next Tuesday is Christmas Day, marking the birth of Jesus in the town of Bethlehem. Next year is 2019 because, by common reckoning, Jesus was born two thousand and nineteen years ago.

The Winter Festival and Christmas have a common theme of optimism and joy as light enters the world. As 2018 finishes, no one would disagree that our world urgently needs optimism and joy.

I wish all Ming Pao readers a Happy Winter Festival, a Merry Christmas, and good health in 2019!