Happy New Year!

Can you tell these are my children? If not, you don't know me well enough...
Let's just say...they returned my hats after the picture.... ; )


It's a new year (in Japan- as I write this it hasn't made it to the US yet). At the Shinto shrine on top of the mountain near our home, bells began ringing about 15 minutes before midnight. At midnight and periodically through the night right up until I sat down here just a few minutes ago. Not the greatest night of sleep. Don't make too much of this story...but I thought it was interesting... Last night, after the bells and music began, I heard mice in the attic for the first time this winter. I say mice and it most likely was mice, but there were very strange sounds in addition to little feet. I first thought it was our dog pulling her chain across a board, except there is no wood anywhere near her. I was a little "spooked". So I did what I always do when confronted with something my tiny brain can't handle, I prayed. Pastor Alber had mentioned in a sermon some years ago at Campus, that whenever he couldn't sleep at night he used the opportunity to pray. Good advice.
I will be asking what those bells and the music are supposed to be doing. I am sure it has a religous meaning and is probably closely tied in to the coming and going of spirits.
We are fortunate to serve the Creator God who protects us and guides us each day. Our lives may have many troubles but each one will ultimately work out for God's glory.
After about 30 minutes the sounds/mice went away and I tried to sleep, between bells and weird music...
So..., how did your new year begin?

EDIT:I looked up a little on the new year festival.

According to the tradition of Shinto, Japan's indigenous religion, a kami (god) enters the house at New Year's.

Late on the evening of December 3 1, after all of these preparations were completed, many people eat a bowl of buckwheat noodles called toshikoshisoba ("year-crossing noodles") and listen for the sound of the Buddhist temple bells, which were rung 108 times at midnight. The sound of these bells is said to purify the listeners of the 108 "sins" or evil passions that plague every human being.

Just thought you might like to know what I found...

posted by Norman @ 1:47 PM