Home昔日真理報2018年 真理報文章2018 年 1 月【日本樂散步】過年前的 30 天

【日本樂散步】過年前的 30 天

 

Chion

 

一早經過火車站,長長的隊由樓梯口開始排起。發生什麼事?啊,十二月一日了....如果你生活在日本,這排隊人潮就會提醒你,快過年了!

中國人的新年是由春節一月初一開始,而日本的就是元旦一月一日開始正月。大多數人都㩗妻帶子回「實家」過年,「實家」就是祖家,與父母或祖父母或親友一齊過年。日本的火車票約一個月開始訂票,所以賣票的第一天大排長龍,人人都在同一時間回家,不早早買票可能趕不上過年前到家。

Chion 1買了票,接下來就是辦年貨。日本講禮,最先要辦是回「人情」禮。向過去一年對自己或家人或公司有恩的人,送年終感恩禮 =お歳暮( Oseibo) 。各大百貨公司、超級市場及名店都擺出禮品名錄,預備好迎接一年最後的大生意。送禮的花樣真多,送和菓子或煎餅,酒或朱古力禮盒一點不出奇,但名錄還有不同種類的米或麵食、食油或沙律油、火煺或高級漬魚,還有毛巾、洗衣粉等禮盒,就令人嘆為觀止,都是非常實用的消耗品。送個輕禮表達心意是件好事,幸好有百種送禮選擇,讓主婦們或秘書們擔子輕鬆些。

接著就是寄年賀狀(日本的賀年咭),以前寫過這溫馨的表心意傳統,這裡就不再細說了。

Chion 2十二月中就要準備迎接歲末,家家開始辦自家的年貨。同中國人一樣,日本也有年宵市場,就是由江戶時代開始流行的歲之市,在各大寺院或舊區商店街舉行,有過年用的海產乾貨物、雜物、衣物、餅食等販賣。人山人海,有意頭的新年裝飾也大發旺市,趨吉避凶的吉祥物飾物,如羽子板(毽子板,長方形帶柄有人型花樣的木板,最受歡迎是歌舞伎役者花樣,迷信有助女子除魔)、各種注連繩(附圖,稻草織成的繩,結界擋厄運,有的更說明已代祈禱)、破魔箭、七福神年畫等。人們對已發生的事無能為力,來年會發生什麼事又一無所知,所以才一定要在過年買些大吉大利,擋災阻禍的吉祥開運物,迎迎福,安安心。

主耶穌真的很明白人的擔心,所以祂在馬太福音6:34說:「不要為明天憂慮,因為明天自有明天的憂慮,一天的難處一天當就夠了。」因為神把生命短促的小草花兒也裝飾得美美,對信靠祂的人更會保守。並且可以「一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求、和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。 神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡保守你們的心懷意念。 」(腓立比書4:6-7) 迎福或辟邪物是死的,有著平安的心才是真正的好福氣。

十二月整個月過年前各大公司、機構或組織都會辦「忘年會」這傳統習俗。「忘年會」據說是由室町時代皇室年末時的連歌會開始,載歌載舞,飲酒歡樂至忘記了年齡。「忘年」也是有忘記一年辛苦,大家樂一樂的意思。忘年會就如 Year End Party,大家同事、上司下屬一齊聚會,多於居酒屋以宴會形式舉行。現在日本也洋化了,在西式餐廳吃自助餐,站立交流形式也很受歡迎。年頭忙到年晚,要輕鬆輕鬆一下,跨越階層社交,也是公司表示慰謝員工的好時機。飲飲酒吃吃東西,回顧過去一年的成績,並互相勉勵,準備迎接新一年的挑戰。

十二月十三日開始,一年一度大掃除的傳統展開。過年前把家裡上上下下,收拾得一乾二淨,迎接新一年,也有洗去霉氣的意思。不過,現代人主婦平日已經超級繁忙,掃除這等大事,多留到十二月最後幾天,老老少少放假一齊洗刷。朋友說天寒地凍,打掃太辛苦,她就在暑假期間舉家大掃除,又暖又舒服,這提議不錯!打掃乾淨後,就用買來的新春吉祥物佈置家居,家門口外放門松(長壽松代人迎年歲神),桌上放鏡餅(相疊圓盤狀米糕餅,鏡有圓滿的意思),再掛上各種吉祥飾物。不分種族,過年都要喜氣洋洋!

一瞬間就到了過年前一星期,主婦們就為年飯及御節料理 (Osechiryouri) - 工作繁重的新年食,在超級市場間奔走,接著幾天在㕑房埋頭苦幹。就為了一家能團聚時吃上美味佳餚,超豐富得可以吃幾天,主婦們趁機休煮。也有不少家庭,不想大費周章煮食,一早就在各大食店或名餐廳訂購三層御節料理(新年食禮盒),30 或 31 號送上門,很方便。豪華的有龍蝦、鮑魚、燒牛肉或燒鯛魚。不論貴平宜也一定有蝦(彎腰如長壽老人)、黑豆(無病無災,黑色是神道教除魔色)、魚子(多卵豐子裔)、田作(幼魚乾醬油煮,豐收豐漁)、粟子(黃金運)、如初日出形狀紅白魚蛋(紅白色是新年吉祥色)等等,幾十種各有吉祥意思的食物,把三層盒裝得豐富滿滿,色彩鮮豔奪目,紅紅黃黃,很有過年感的傳統習俗。一年最後要做的事,就是在大晦日(大除夕)晚上,收看政府台NHK紅白歌合戰及吃年夜飯。年夜飯一定要吃蕎麥麵,又叫年越蕎麥,寓意是長壽,如意吉祥地完結一年!

整個過節準備充滿神道教色彩,但其實多數日本人是說不出新春裝飾物,或新年食的各種食物背後的意思。昔日的信仰變成了傳統習俗,做了食了就求安心。對未來的無知而感到不安,各民族不約而同,新春前後所有的的裝飾,要做的事情,要食的東西,都有催吉避凶,大吉大利的意識。全世界的人都想新年比舊年更上一層樓,好事多災害少。真正享受到平安、喜樂和福氣,只有「你要認識神,就得平安;福氣也必臨到你。」(約伯記22:21),祝大家有個無憂無慮的 2018!

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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