Good evening everyone. Are you waiting for the New Year?

Our church has an evening service once a year. It is our Joya-e service. Originally, Joya was a word of Japanese Shinto-ism. Joya means “we do not sleep all night. A Long time ago, people stayed up all night until New Year’s morning. Joya also means a night for Resetting. People will always make some mistakes. So, on New Year eve, Japanese people try to reset or correct their mistakes.

This year I had made lots of mistakes…so, I hope these mistakes will be reset…or corrected in the coming year.

And I want to start the new year with a fresh start.

Usually, night of December 31^st Japanese people eat Buckwheat SOBA noodles. Japanese call it “Toshikoshi-soba”. That custom was started about 300 years ago in Japan. For Japanese, Buckwheat Soba noodles symbolize “having a long life”. But, that is superstition. So just enjoy eating a nice hot bowl of Soba.

Have you decided on your New Year resolutions? I have two resolutions.

1. I will become a more attractive minister.

2. I have to go on a diet.

I know last year I made the same resolution. But I could not get very good results. So, next year, I will try it again.

And last, thank you for everyone for coming to our Betsuin tonight taking time from your busy schedules. I hope maybe everyone will come also tomorrow morning for New Year service “Syusho-e”.

Gassho