“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
For the larger part of my adult life, I have been a morning person: I wake up at 5:30 AM, read my Bible, pray, exercise, and have coffee and breakfast. Thanks to that routine, I have come to see many sunrises in many seasons and many different parts of the world.
In Japan, the first sunrise to grace the morning of January 1st is called hatsuhinode or goraiko; these terms describe a sunrise at the summit. According to legend, Toshigamisama, the deity of the New Year, appears during the first sunrise of the year. Watching the first sunrise is a way to welcome Toshigamisama and the new year ahead.
While gazing at the first sunrise, the Japanese wish for good fortune. Some even make New Year’s resolutions and set goals to improve their health and happiness. As a Christian, watching the first sunrise of the New Year has been a time of thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness in the past year, and looking forward to His promises that carry into the new year.
Prayer Prompts
- As many Japanese embrace the New Year with this tradition of hatsuhinode, pray with us that many Japanese would not welcome Toshigamasama or good fortune, but Christ into their hearts.
- Just like this sunrise, pray for Japanese Christians to let their light shine before others and to stand as witnesses to those around them.