WindowKids January 2010
WindowKids™ January 2010 Edition
Dear John,
ONLINE:
www.windowkids.com
www.WIN1040.com/reporter
“AKE-MASHITE-OMEDETOU-GOZAIMASU”
“Happy New Year!”
Dear Prayer Warriors,
Here we are—it is January 2010 and most cultures around the world are celebrating “new beginnings.” Each culture has special traditions for celebrating a new year. Some enjoy yummy treats, many participate in special activities, and others have unique ways of wishing friends and family members the best for the year ahead. Whether the traditions include fireworks, special songs and music, or family festivities, this holiday is celebrated BIG all around the world!
New Year’s is also a wonderful time to think about new goals, positive changes and expectations for the next twelve months. Friends, as you celebrate the New Year from where you live, remember the children of Japan and pray for many of them to come to know Jesus in 2010!
Sayonara! (Good-bye!)
Hymnie the Hummingbird
How can I pray for Japanese people?
Have you ever thought about how other people groups across every continent celebrate the arrival of the New Year? The Japanese culture has very special customs for this event.
One important tradition is called hatsumoude. Men and women dress up in their special, traditional dresses called kimonos. These are one-piece wrap-around garments held in place by a sash called an obi. For several days, Japanese people travel to Buddhists temples and shrines to pray for good things to happen in the year ahead.
Let’s pray for Japanese people to come to know the saving love of Jesus this year. Let’s even pray that for their New Year’s Celebration next year in 2011, they will be worshiping Jesus. Pray for Jesus’ blessings over their lives.
Kurikinton
(from About.com)
Kurikinton is mashed sweet potato with sweet chestnuts (kuri). It’s one of Japanese New Year’s food (osechi).
Ingredients:
1 lb. sarumaimo (sweet potatoes)
1 jar of simmered sweet chestnuts in syrup (8-12 pieces of chestnuts)
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp mirin
2 kuchinashinomi (Cape jasmine seeds)
Preparation:
Peel satsumaimo and cut into 1 inch thick slices. Soak satsumaimo slices in water for about 15 minutes. Drain satsumaimo. Wrap crushed kuchinashinomi in a sheet of gauze. Put water, satsumaimo, and kuchinashinomi in a deep pot and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to medium and simmer until satsumaimo is softened. Drain and remove the kushinashinomi. Mash satsumaimo and add 3/4 cup of sugar and mix well. Strain the mashed satsumaimo and put it back in the pot. Add 3/4 cup of sugar, mirin, 1/4 cup of syrup in the mashed satsumaimo. Stir well on low heat until smooth. Add chestnuts and simmer for a few minutes.
Resource:
http://japanesefood.about.com/od/japanesenewyearfood/r/kurikinton.htm
Otoshidama
Otoshidama is a Japanese New Year’s tradition involving something that children are always excited about. Can you guess what it might be? If you said “money,” you are correct. Families distribute crisp paper money, carefully folded in three parts, wrapped in a small envelope called a pochibukuro. They give these gifts to children in their family, or extended families. The amount of money they give depends on how much money they have. Children can expect to receive otoshidama not only when they are young, but even while attending college.
Resource:
http://www.japanguidebook.com/culture/otoshidama-96.html
Takoage: Japanese New Year Kite-flying
Have you ever tried to fly a kite? Kite-flying in Japan is not only fun, it is a very special event on New Year’s Day. Children participate in kite-flying contests all across the country. The kite designs vary depending on what region they come from.
If the weather and your family’s schedule permit, try flying a kite sometime soon. As you do, remember Japanese children in the 10/40 Window who need Jesus as their Savior.
Resource:
http://www.ajinomoto.com/traditions/winter_05.html
Praying God’s Word over Japanese Children…
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:7 NIV)
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