Holidays

New Years’ Peas

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I read an article about why Southerners eat black-eyed peas on New Years Day. My family followed the traditional meal of black-eyed peas, ham (usually left-over from Christmas), greens and cornbread. As a kid I never liked the peas, but ate them anyway because that’s just what kids of my generation did – parents said “clean your plate” so we cleaned our plate. And black-eye peas were a tradition although I never really understood why. All I was told was “they’ll bring you good luck” and that what I said to my kids. But there is so much more to the story.

Here’s the short version, if you want to learn more look up Brad Downey on Facebook, he has a great post with many details. First, black-eyed peas kept many Southerners from starving after the Union Army came through and took everything or destroyed what they couldn’t take. Except for the black-eyed peas and the salt pork because they didn’t recognize them as food. Thus the women, children, elderly and the disabled were saved from starvation and the lowly black-eye pea became the symbol of good fortune.

While I will continue to enjoy a New Year’s meal of black-eye peas, greens, ham and cornbread, I do not put my trust in a legume to bring me good fortune or prosperity. I choose to put my trust and faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) my provider. I put my trust and faith in Jesus Christ, my ​Adonai (Lord, Master).

Our nation has faced many dark days besides the terrible days during and after the Civil War – WWI, the Depression, WWII to name just a few. But God has always been faithful to heal and restore because people turned to Him, repenting of sins and calling on His Name. Great revivals and the preaching of the gospel kept this nation a Christian nation where the church was honored and recognized as significant to the nation and individual communities. From the birth of our nation until recent times we were a nation based on Christian/Judeo values.

Today our nation faces the darkest times we ever faced, not because of war or even the run-away inflation we’re experiencing caused by an out of control federal government, or even because of the invasion on our southern border. No, the darkness in our nation is spiritual. We are living in the times we were warned about by the prophet Isaiah :

“Beware, those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter.” Isaiah 5:20 (New English Translation)

Here we are, members of our own government calling things God has called evil as being good and acceptable. They call Christians who hold to Biblical truths intolerant or even a threat to the country!

Here’s what the New Testament says about the times we’re living in:

“But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.” 2 Timothy 3:1-3

Jesus warned us that hard times would come, but we’re not to fear:

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Whatever 2023 brings, I know God will provide whatever I need, including peace.

Happy 2023 to you all and I pray you know the joy of salvation and the peace only Jesus can provide!

Dee

Decorating for Christmas

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“You shall have a song
As in the night when a holy festival is kept,
And gladness of heart as when one goes with a flute,
To come into the mountain of the Lord,
To the Mighty One of Israel.” Isaiah 30:29

God instructed the Jewish people to have celebrations and festivals throughout the year, each one symbolizing specific things and reminding them of His goodness and love. As Christians we’re not given instructions for celebrations or holidays, we’re to live daily celebrating His goodness and love. But we have added holidays and if we use them to celebrate Him and to proclaim Jesus, I think He enjoys them too.

I love decorating and particularly decorating for Christmas. It takes me days and days to complete, if I ever actually do, because over the years I have collected many decorative items. This year it is especially taking time because we’re in a different house and finding just the right spot for each thing takes a little time. But one thing gets finished first – the Christmas tree. As I decorate, I reflect on the meaning of Christmas and how most of the elements on the tree are symbolic of Christ and the reason for celebration. Some are obvious – there are lights on the tree because Jesus is the Light of the world and we use an evergreen tree because He gives us eternal life. And of course the star that lead the way to the new born King. But there are deeper meanings for me too.

CHRISTMAS TREE – CHRIST’S TREE
The first reminder for me is the tree itself. Jesus died on a tree because Adam sinned and brought spiritual death because he ate fruit from the wrong tree. So Jesus came to die on a tree that we could have eternal life.
“who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
The tree itself reminds me that through Jesus’ death on the tree, I have eternal life and that by His stripes I was healed.

GIFTS OF GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH
Gold. There are many gold ornaments on our Christmas tree. The gold reminds me of the gifts the wise men brought to the infant Jesus, the new born king. On earth gold is a precious commodity. Here men fight for it, hoard it. But in heaven, gold is not as precious as it is here, there the streets are paved with gold. The most precious gift by heaven’s standards is the gift God gave to mankind, His own precious Son, Jesus. Jesus is the most precious gift, and that gift gives us the gift of eternal life.

HEARLDING ANGELS – GOD’S MESSENGERS
I have never seen an angel, but because I believe God’s Word, I believe they are here all around us. “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)
An angel announced to Mary she would be the one to bear the Messiah. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream that Mary’s child was of God would save their people. Then the night Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds that Messiah had come and instructed them where to find Him.
“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” (Luke 2:10)
Suddenly then a multitude of heavenly host appeared praising God,
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)
When I see the angel decorations, I am reminded that just as the angels announced Jesus, I am called to be a messenger of God’s love, joy and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord.

RED AND WHITE
I put dozens of shiny red ornaments on our tree. For me, the red ornaments are reminders of the blood of Jesus shed on His tree. It is by His blood that my sins, though many, have been paid for and washed away.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7)
Isaiah the prophet speaking for God said, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
The white snow on the tree reminds me that even though I once was a sinner, now through the blood of Jesus, I am made pure, I have been given His righteousness.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
I love Christmas, everything about it – the music, the food, the decorations, the lights, giving and receiving gifts. I enjoy all of it, but the best part is remembering why I have reason to celebrate and rejoicing in God’s greatest gift, Jesus! He is the reason I have so much to celebrate.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Peace and blessings in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Dee