Why Christians Celebrate Mooncake Festival?

How many mooncakes have you eaten so far? Do you celebrate the Mooncake Festival, or do you just enjoy the mooncakes without celebrating because you think it's a pagan festival? While some may see the festival as a time to worship the moon, others view it as a celebration of reunion, family, and togetherness - a moment to reconnect with loved ones. It’s this latter aspect that resonates most deeply with us as believers, offering a beautiful opportunity to love one another, as Jesus commands us to do.

The Mooncake Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, has its roots in ancient China, where people celebrated the harvest season and paid homage to the moon for its role in agricultural success. Traditionally, it was believed that the moon was at its brightest and fullest on this night, symbolizing unity and completeness. Families would gather to share mooncakes and admire the moon together.

For some, the festival’s connection to moon worship may raise concerns about how Christians should approach it. However, many continue to embrace the festival's essence of reunion, emphasizing family togetherness rather than any pagan practices. It’s an opportunity to bring people together, to share stories, food, and most importantly, love.

The famous Chinese poet Su Dongpo (苏东坡) wrote: "但愿人长久，千里共婵娟" ("May we live long and share the beauty of the moon together, even though we are a thousand miles apart.")

This poem beautifully captures the longing for connection, even across physical distances. It speaks to the deep human desire for unity and relationship - something that transcends culture and time. In our modern context, this longing remains the same, especially for those of us who are often caught up in the busyness of life. The Mooncake Festival can serve as a reminder to slow down and prioritize relationships.

I often find myself reflecting on how we approach celebrations when life gets busy. When tasks and responsibilities pile up, even when we do take the time to celebrate, we sometimes don’t truly celebrate. We go through the motion because it’s something we feel we must get done. Yet in doing so, we lose the essence of the moment. In the midst of this busyness, I often pray, “Father, give me a heart of love so it will not turn to indifference.”

God calls us to love one another deeply, from the heart (1 Peter 1:22). This love isn’t just about feeling affection; it’s about making the intentional choice to care for others, even when we’re tired, overwhelmed, or distracted. True celebration comes from a place of love - a love that reflects the heart of God. And in moments like the Mooncake Festival, we have the opportunity to demonstrate that love by making time for others, sharing our lives, and being fully present. We don’t need to worship the moon to find meaning in this celebration; instead, we can focus on the reunion and the joy of being with those we love.

May this season be a time when we open our hearts to others, seeking out opportunities to show kindness, love, and care. Let’s take a moment to reflect on how we can use this time to build relationships, not just as an obligation, but as an act of love that reflects the heart of Christ.

So, as we gather around mooncakes and enjoy the beauty of the full moon, let’s remember Su Dongpo’s words, that even if we are apart from some of our loved ones, we are united in spirit. Let’s cherish the time we have with one another, and above all, let love be at the centre of our celebrations.

“Father, give us a heart of love,

so that we may celebrate with true joy,

and let our hearts never turn indifferent to the needs of those around us.”

In Mission Spirit,

Pastor Forest