Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

I sometimes joke that I wish I were Jewish by heritage because I love the cultural emphasis on family and tradition. Though our preparation and education of the Chinese culture, I've recently started to realize that we have the amazing opportunity to bring beautiful Chinese celebrations into our home.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is centered around prayer, friends and family and thanksgiving. The harvest festival is held on the full moon between late September and October and dates back to the Shang Dynasty 16th-10th century BC. Traditionally, the celebration has been centered around moon worship as the waxing and waning of the moon is reminiscent of a woman's monthly cycle and that of pregnancy and birth (full moon = pregnant lady, crescent moon = giving birth).

These days, lanterns and moon cakes are staples of the celebration -- beautiful paper lanterns and yummy desserts?! Count me in!

I'm thankful for my college friend Wei who, nearly 10 years ago, introduced me to the Mid-Autumn Festival. Who knew she'd be a source of inspiration for Nathan and I choosing to adopt from China and a continued resource as we learn more about our little one's culture?! I'm grateful for you, Wei, and look forward to the beautiful moments your family will experience in the coming months.

(photos from 2007)