Origin of Lunar New Year

In the old, old days, Chinese villagers were oppressed by a monster called nian that would gobble up human beings for meals.
Finally, a wise, old man confronted the monster, challenging it to eat animals instead of humans. The old man succeeded and rode off in triumph on the back of the nian but not before leaving advice to the villagers to celebrate the victory with red hangings. The red packet, the money gift that is given on Chinese New Year is part of the celebration. Check my other blog, http://prayerconversations.blogspot.com for the Biblical connection to this account.