New Year Traditions

Growing up my grandfather made sure that the family followed certain traditions. These traditions were rooted in superstition, but they were fun. I still choose to follow some of these traditions.
1. Greens and Black Eyed Peas - the most important of New Years traditions. The Greens can be collard, turnip or mustard greens. Spinach is also allowed. Greens are eaten to insure folding money in the coming year and are the critical part of the meal (contrary to what some Yankees put on their websites). Black Eyed peas are eaten for change. I like to round out the meal with pork chops and cornbread.
2. Do not wash clothes on New Years Day. By washing clothes you are washing someone out of the family or you will have to wash clothes for a funeral in the coming year.
3. Whatever you do on New Years Day you will do the rest of the year.
4. Do not sweep on New Years Day - similar reasons to number 2.
While these superstitions have no real impact on life, they are fun and harmless. Plus they provide a good excuse to avoid regular household chores.

Merry Christmas!!

Are Christians Prone to Anti-Semitism?

There is a great deal of concerns that Christians are anti-Semitic. Some scholars, many within Christianity, argue that there are elements within Christian orthodoxy that are inherently hateful toward the Jews. That is rather strange for a faith that uses the Jewish Bible, was founded by Jews and worships a Jewish Rabbi. The New Testament is a Jewish work with the exception of Luke's writings, and even his identity as a Gentile is questioned.

The idea that Christians hate Jews is foreign to my upbringing. I was taught that the Jews had been persecuted and would be persecuted (but the same holds true for faithful Christians). However, we were warned never to persecute the Jews. Every people or nation that persecutes the Jews will experience the judgment of God. Those who bless the children of Abraham will be blessed and those that curse them will be cursed.

Have Christians persecuted Jews? Yes, but they have also persecuted other Christians in the name of Christ. Is evangelism persecution? The free exchange of ideas with the intent to persuade is not persecution. True evangelism is never coercive.

How can Christians avoid anti-Semitism? Love God with all our heart, mind, soul and body (The Jewish Shema and the Greatest Commandment for Christians). We must love God with our whole self. Next we must love our neighbor as ourselves. When we love God and neighbor without qualification or reservation - we cannot hate anyone.