Blackeye Peas, Cornbread and Collards: Tastes like 2010!

“It’ll bring you money,” Mom said every New Year’s Day, dishing up a plate of black-eyed peas. “Has it ever brought you money?” I’d ask. “Well, not yet,” she’d grin.

I make black-eyed peas every New Year’s Day, like my mother. I don’t believe it does anything but fill our bellies. But I love tradition. Tradition keeps us on schedule with our lives. And black-eyed peas makes a festive transition from the rich holiday fare of December, back to the simple meals of everyday. Here in the south, we eat ours with collard greens and corn bread. Happy New Year!

Black-eyed Peas

You’ll need: 1 lb. dried black-eyed peas, 1 small Spanish onion, 2 cloves garlic, smoked turkey leg (or you can use a couple boullion cubes, or a bit of ham or bacon, if you don’t eat kosher), 1 TBS baking soda

Rinse peas and put into a large pot, with enough water to cover peas with an inch of water at the top. Stir in baking soda. Let soak overnight, if possible. Or at least an hour. (This step helps reduce the gassiness).

Pour off water and rinse peas again. Put back into pot with enough water to cover with an inch of water at the top. Bring to a boil and stir once. If beans have not soaked overnight, allow them to boil ten minutes, stirring occasionally, then cover, remove from heat, and let soak for 2 hours. If you soaked them overnight, this hot soaking will not be necessary.

After soaking, turn the heat on and add the diced onion, minced garlic, and smoked turkey or seasoning. Stir once. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until peas are soft, about 3 hours, adding water as necessary to keep peas moving around. Try not to stir, or stir gently, so you don’t break the peas. When soft, drain off excess water and serve. Serve with hot sauce.

Collard greens

Wash and cut collard greens. Shake off excess water and blot dry on a clean dishtowel. You’ll need lots- they shrink down. Brown some butter in a large pan, and add cut greens. Heat and toss until wilted. Salt to taste.

Corn bread

You’ll need: 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour, ¾ cup yellow corn meal, ¼ cup sugar, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1 cup milk, ¼ cup corn oil, 1 beaten egg. Optional: Add a small can of creamed corn or drained corn niblets (Try Mexican style corn niblets and a couple shakes of Tabasco, if you like it spicy).

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix all ingredients with a spoon in a large bowl. Oil an iron skillet (or cake pan) and pour mixture into it. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until bread starts to pull away from the sides, looks golden, and feels solid in the center. A toothpick inserted in center should come out with dry crumbles.

Beyond All Blessings and Hymns

   During Asara B’Tevet, the tenth day of the Jewish month of Tevet (December 27, 2009), prayer is recited in honor of those whose time or place of death is unknown.

   The prayer, called Kaddish, said with a quorum of ten adult Jewish males, is the same prayer recited in honor of any loved one who has died.

   In the Kaddish, death and sorrow is not mentioned. The prayer focuses rather on God’s enormity and sovereignty, and the hope of his kingdom and peace. That is the truest comfort of all.

English translation of Kaddish:

   Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world which he has created according to his will. May he establish his kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon. Amen.

   May his great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

   Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be he, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world. Amen.

   May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us, and for all Israel. Amen.

   He who creates peace in his heavenly heights, may he create peace for us, and for all Israel. Amen.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Asarah B’Tevet, including it’s relationship to the birth of Messiah.

***

Asara B’Tevet begins at dawn (not sunset):

December 27, 2009

December 16, 2010

January 5, 2011

December 23, 2012

Christmas traditions that didn’t start with Pagans

I often hear the charge “Every single tradition of Christmas originated in paganism!” I thought of a few Christmas traditions that did not. I only know American traditions. Feel free to add your own.

Giving to the poor

Gathering with family

Sending Christmas cards

Going to church

Eating a special meal

Baking cookies

Poinsettias

Candy canes

Nativity plays

Hanging stockings by the fireplace

Singing hymns

Taking a day off work

Telling children the legend of Santa Claus

Showing kindness to strangers

Exchanging gifts

School break

Reading about the birth of Jesus from the Bible

Lighting our homes

Setting up a creche

Building snowmen

Playing music about Jesus

Making paper chains

Giving toys to children

Shopping

Telling the true story of St. Nicholas

Watching Christmas movies

Making crafts

Hand bell choirs

Gingerbread houses

Traveling to be with loved ones

Dancing

Christmas caroling

Stringing popcorn

Christmas cactus

Jingle Bells

Making snow angels

Hosting parties for employees

Reflection and Repentance

Christmas Quiz

How well do you know the Christmas story? Take this quiz and find out!  Answer true or false to the following.

1. An angel told Mary that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit.

2. Mary and Joseph were on their way to Jerusalem when Mary went into labor.

3. The angels sang, “Glory to God in the Highest” the night Jesus was born

4. No one knows if Jesus was born in a tent, a cave, a stable or somewhere else.

5. The Bible doesn’t mention any animals being present at the birth of Jesus.

6. Shepherds followed the star to find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

7. Wise men from the east followed the star to Bethlehem.

8. Wise men presented gifts to baby Jesus at the manger.

9. Three kings presented gifts.

10. The wise men returned to Herod to tell him of the birth of Jesus.

 ANSWERS:

1. FALSE. Mary was told that she would become pregnant, and she agreed to the plan before Jesus was conceived. Luke 1:31-38; 2:21

2. FALSE. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. While they were there, Mary gave birth. Luke 2:1-7

3. FALSE. The angels didn’t sing, they spoke. Luke 2:9-14

4. TRUE. The Bible says only that He was laid in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. It is unknown where the manger was located, except that it was in Bethlehem. Luke 2:4-7

5. TRUE. The Bible says that shepherds were watching over their flocks in the fields that night (Luke 2:8). But there is no mention of any animals present when Jesus was born.

6. FALSE. The shepherds were told by the angel where to find Jesus. Luke 2:11-12, 15

7. FALSE. The wise men saw the star while they were in the east, and went to Jerusalem to find the Messiah. Herod called priests and teachers of the law to ask where the Bible said Messiah was to be born. The wise men went to Bethlehem in accordance with the prophecy of Micah. Matthew 2:1-6; Micah 5:2. After they left Jerusalem for Bethlehem, the star reappeared, and guided the wise men to the place where Jesus was. Matthew 2:9

8. FALSE. By the time the wise men reached Jesus, He was a “child” (no longer a baby), living in a house. Matthew 2:11

9. FALSE. The Bible says “wise men”, not kings. There were three gifts (gold, incense and myrrh), but the number of men is unknown. Matthew 2:1-11

10. FALSE. They were warned in a dream not to return, and they went back another way. Matthew 2:12

HOW DID YOU DO?

8 to 10 Correct: Congratulations! You are a Christmas expert! Now make like the shepherds and share the good news!

5 to 7 Correct: Good job! You’ve got the basics down. Read Luke, chapter 2 and Matthew, chapters 1 & 2, to brush up on the details.

0 to 4 Correct: You’ve been relying on tradition to teach you about Christmas, and tradition can be wrong. Could it be that you are looking to tradition for other truths about God? ‘Tis the Season to open the Bible and find out for yourself!

Merry Xmas?

   Merry Xmas! Does the sight of it make you cringe?  

   Rather than being an insult, this tradition stems from respect for the Holy designation Messiah, or Christ.

  Early Christians were almost all Jewish. Jews hold God’s Name in such high regard that they avoid speaking or writing it. When Jews come to the personal name of God in the reading of the Bible, the word Adonai (Lord) is said instead.

   In the King James Version of the Bible, wherever you see the word “LORD” (all capitals) in the Old Testament, it is a substitution for the personal name of God.

   Even today, many Jews and some Christians write “G-d” or L-rd,” leaving out the vowels, so as to be very careful and respectful with all terms referring to God. 

   In keeping with Jewish tradition, early Christians used the capital Greek letter kee (“X”) to stand for the word Kristos [Χριςτοσ], the Greek word for Messiah. Capital kee happens to be written with the same symbol that we use for the English letter X. The tradition was carried into English, and Christmas (Christ’s Mass) became Xmas. 

   Today, people usually use the term Xmas simply to abbreviate.  But we who know the origin can take a moment to reflect on the holiness of the term Christ every time we see it. We may also be able to use it as an opening to share our faith and build bridges of understanding.

Remember the Women of Hanukkah

   Since the beginning of time, when God first formed woman because “it is not good” without her, women have been indispensable.

   With the quiet dignity of Sarah, courageous initiative of Esther, and selfless service of Tabitha, the Bible abounds in examples of God’s pleasure with women.

   During Hanukkah, we remember the stories of two women who rose to their challenges with faith, intelligence, and courage.

   May their names be remembered.

 JUDITH

   The Syrian army surrounded the city of Bethulia. Judith, a beautiful, wealthy, young widow lived within its walls. She asked the mayor for safe passage, then she and her maidservant set off to meet the enemy.

   When she arrived at the camp, she asked to speak with the Syrian leader, Holofernes. Judith told Holofernes that she knew the secret to defeating the Jews, and she would tell him, if he agreed to protect her and her servant. He did.

   She told him when the people became hungry enough to eat unclean animals, God would no longer protect them. She promised to let Holofernes know when that happened, if he would allow her freedom to come and go in the camp. He did.

   After four days, Judith brought Holofernes a present of wine and cheese. Holofernes sent his men away, to be alone with the beautiful Judith. Judith made him pancakes and sour cream and continued to offer cheese, which increased his thirst, and encouraged him to drink more.

   Holofernes fell into a drunken sleep. Judith took his sword, cut off his head with one blow, and tucked it inside her clothes. She and her servant returned to Bethulia, unhampered because the soldiers had gotten used to them coming and going.

   The army of Bethulia attacked the Syrian camp. When the Syrians saw their commander’s head hanging on the city wall, they ran.

   Because of God’s faithfulness, and Judith’s faith, wisdom and courage, God’s people were delivered. In honor of Judith, we eat cheese and wine and latkes with sour cream during Hanukkah.

 HANNAH AND HER SEVEN SONS

   During the reign of Antiochus IV, Hannah and her seven sons were brought before the king. He demanded worship. They refused.

   Beginning with the eldest son, Antiochus gave them the choice to bow or die. One by one, Hannah watched as her children remained faithful, and were put to death.

   At last, Hannah’s youngest boy—only three years old—remained. Antiochus made him an offer. He proposed to drop his ring on the floor and allow the boy to bow and pick it up, so onlookers would be fooled. The child refused. He, too, was murdered.

   Then it was Hannah’s turn. Out loud, she prayed for three things: the souls of her children, the people of Israel, and that she might die at the hands of God, not the hands of her enemy.

   Immediately, Hannah fell dead.

   ”Remember Hannah and her Seven Sons!” became a rallying cry for faithful Jews. They are remembered.

Hanukkah Relevant For All Freedom Loving People

“That’s for your Christmas,” my neighbor insisted, after I explained to her that the menorah on the table was a hanukkiah, not a Christmas candelabra. 

“No,” I said,”It’s not. It’s for Hanukkah.” 

“Right. Your Christmas.” She smiled her tolerant smile.

“It’s a different thing,” I started. But she had made up her mind.  

Sitting next to me on the plane, the seminary student complained that he didn’t understand Jews. ”Why do they do Hanukkah?” he asked, “It’s not even in the Bible.” 

He was visibly surprised when I told him that the New Testament makes reference to Hanukkah. The word Hanukkah means “dedication”. During the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) Jesus declared himself to be the promised Messiah, God in the flesh (John 10:22-23).

So, what do you know about Hanukkah? Do you think of it as a “Jewish Christmas”? Is it something “they” do? You may be surprised how relevant Hanukkah is to all freedom-loving people!

Over three hundred years before the birth of Jesus, Israel was called Judea. Jews lived under the rule of one leader after another. They lived in peace, loved their families, and had joys and hardships, the same as everybody else. They worshiped God, and offered sacrifices to him in the temple in Jerusalem. 

An oil lamp—called ner tamid, “the fire that never goes out”– burned in the temple. God commanded that this light always burn with the clearest oil squeezed from olives (Lev. 24:1-4).

The Greek army, ruled by Antiochus IV, conquered the country of Syria. Together, the armies of Greece and Syria conquered Judea (Israel).

Once Antiochus took over, things changed for Jews. Antiochus called himself Epiphanes, which means “god incarnated”, and demanded worship. Greek idols defiled even the sacred temple of God, where a pig was sacrificed to Zeus on the altar. Hebrew names became Greek names. Young women were assaulted by soldiers before being allowed to marry. Circumcised babies were murdered. All people were commanded to worship the idols and Antiochus. Men who refused were killed. Women and children were taken as slaves.

Some obeyed. Many fled Jerusalem, but the armies followed. From village to village, they advanced, demanding all worship Antiochus, and his idols. 

When they reached Modin, they learned that an old priest named Mattathias, along with his five sons, led the people. In an effort to gain the people’s support, the soldiers offered Mattathias special favor and wealth if he would sacrifice a pig to their idol, and eat some of the sacrifice. Mattathias refused. Another Jewish man offered to do it, and Mattathias struck him down, knocked over the idol, and shouted, “Whoever is on the LORD’s side, follow me!”

The villagers took the weapons away from the soldiers and killed them. Those who were on God’s side fled with Mattathias into the mountains. The mountains opened to give the people of God refuge. Later, others, including a handful of Gentiles, joined the rebel band, and soon they had a small army.

When Mattathias died, his son Judah led the people against the armies of Antiochus. Judah was called The Macabee, “the hammer”. His followers were called Macabees.

During one battle, the Macabees were sorely outnumbered. The highest commanders of the Greek and Syrian armies personally took charge. They left nothing to chance. Slave traders even followed with cages and chains to carry off the beaten Macabees. They left with none. 

With God as their strength, the Macabees ambushed the powerful armies, killing thousands and sending the rest running! The Macabees marched into Jerusalem to take back the temple.

When they got there, they were crestfallen. The once beautiful temple was filthy and violated. They tore their clothes, put ashes on their heads, blew the shofar, and cried out to God with their faces to the ground. Then they got to work.

The priests cleaned the temple. They dismantled the altar that had been desecrated, and built a new one.  Not wanting to discard the old alter, because it had once been sacred, they buried it under the temple. 

One small jar of consecrated oil was found in the rubble. Only enough for one day’s light. The anniversary of the day that Antiochus decreed to abolish all things Jewish was approaching. The people weren’t sure what to do. Should they light the ner tamid on that day, and then let it go out? Or should they wait until more oil could be prepared? They decided to light the menorah, and rededicated the temple, taking a date significant to pagans, and reclaiming it for God. They celebrated with worship and praise, music and dancing. They gave a clean sacrifice on the newly built altar. It was 25 Kislev on the Jewish calendar.  

At the end of the day, they expected the oil to run out, but it kept burning. And the next day. And the next. And the next. For eight days, until more oil was ready, the ner tamid never went out. 

Judah Macabee declared that from that day forward, every 25th of Kislev would begin a joyful, eight day celebration in remembrance of the deliverance of God’s people, and the miracle of the oil. 

For eight days, we light candles or oil lamps, and we eat foods cooked in oil. We dance and sing praise to the One True God, the King of the Universe, for his miracles, his deliverances and his wonders.

Non-Messianic Jews prepare their hearts and homes for the coming of Messiah and his Kingdom.  Messianic Jews, and some Gentile Christians, prepare for the return of Jesus and his Kingdom.

So when you hear about Hanukkah, don’t think of it as something “they” do. Remember the miracles. Remember the faithful martyrs and overcomers. Remember the One True God, and prepare your heart to meet him.

And please, whatever you do, don’t call it a “Jewish Christmas”.

Decorated Trees: To Clear Things Up

   From the mail I’m getting about my recent blog on decorative trees used in Solomon’s temple [read it here] , I see that I was not as clear as I should have been, and want to explain a couple of things.

   First off, I do not say that every Christian should put up a Christmas tree. What I say is that using trees as decorations is not evil. Pagans used trees in worship in ancient times. They also used fire, food, and sex. Because pagans use a thing does not make it off limits to all people from then on. We have limited resources on this planet. We all use the good things that God gave us. Some use them for evil.

   Second, I did not mean to imply that Solomon’s Temple held Christmas trees. It certainly did not. Christmas trees were introduced in the sixteenth century. The trees of Solomon’s Temple were palm trees. Other types of wood were used, but there’s something about palm trees that God likes. We see the use of palm branches in the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, and in the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, too.

   My purpose in writing the Christmas blogs is not to tell everyone they should celebrate Christmas, or that they should erect a Christmas tree. Rather, it is to give peace to those who are concerned about displeasing God in their observance. 

   The Bible tells us that whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). If a person is uncomfortable with the idea of Christmas or Christmas trees, and cannot celebrate in good conscience, they should not.

   Christmas as a holiday did not exist until hundreds of years after the completion of the Bible, so Christmas isn’t directly addressed. But the Bible addresses celebrating religious festivals in general. 

   Colossians 2:16 says, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.”

   If you celebrate in faith, don’t let anyone judge you for it. If you refrain from celebrating in faith, don’t let anyone judge you for that, either. And don’t judge your brother for following a different path.

   “One man considers one day more sacred than another, another man considers everyday alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” Romans 14:5

Dos and Don’ts for Interfaith December Dilemma

The December Dilemma: You celebrate Christmas, and she celebrates Hanukkah. The holiday season only lasts a few weeks, and you want everything to run smoothly. What to do? If you are in any kind of Jewish/Christian/Messianic interfaith relationship, these do’s and don’ts will help you navigate the December Dilemma.

  • DO decorate different parts of the house. Divide the home (or room), and each of you decorate for your holiday.
  • DON’T compromise your identity. You both have to give and take to make it work, but not at the expense of who you are. Talk about the traditions that are important to you. Decide what you will and won’t celebrate, and how. Listen to the other person, and allow them that same freedom and respect.
  • DO keep non-religious traditions, like making crafts, baking cookies, or building a fire in the fireplace.
  • DON’T belittle their traditions, even jokingly. Be secure enough in your identity that you are not threatened by the customs and faith of another.
  • DO something new. Start a new tradition that you can do together that incorporates the spirit of both holidays. Try stargazing, or working together on a charity.
  • DON’T start a discussion about the validity of your faith. Holidays are emotionally charged. If you want to get into a theological discussion regarding winter holidays, wait until summer.
  • DO include special foods from both holidays. The one who celebrates Hanukkah can still enjoy eggnog and peppermint sticks. And the one who celebrates Christmas can still eat potato latkes and chocolate gelt.
  • DON’T sermonize. If you eat kosher, make sure your hostess knows ahead of time, so she doesn’t feel slighted when you say no thank you. But don’t try to make her feel guilty for making ham. Offer to bring a dish. If you’re the cook, and your family wants something you don’t eat, decide early on whether you will be able to prepare it for them without feeling slighted or guilty. If not, plan ahead for someone to pick up non-kosher items from a deli or take-out restaurant.
  • DO remember the commonalities of the faiths: love, peace, generosity, and good-will. Go the extra mile and do whatever you can to help your loved one have a joyous holiday season.

St. Nicholas: Christians Must Stand

Santa Claus: You love him or you hate him.

   The name Santa Claus comes from Sinterklass, the Dutch pronunciation of Saint Nicholas. But did you know that there really was a St. Nicholas?

   Nicholas lived in the third century CE, on the northern coast of the Mediterranean. He gave food, money, clothes, and medicine to needy people. Once he gave money to three sisters who otherwise would not have been able to marry, because they didn’t have a dowry. By slipping bags of gold through an open window in the night, he rescued the eldest sister from slavery.

   When the Roman emperor Diocletian demanded that all worship him as a god, he ordered churches and Bibles burned, and Christians arrested. Nicholas was imprisoned for ten years. He said, “Churches may fall, but Christians must stand.” When Constantine came into power, and freed the Christians, Nicholas continued in his charitable work, until his death on December 6, 343.

   The story of St. Nicholas giving gifts to children on the anniversary of his death migrated to America in the seventeenth century. The custom eventually intermingled with Christmas.

   During the 1930’s, artist Haddon Sundblom created the fat and jolly man in the snowsuit and pointed cap, as part of an advertising campaign for Coca-Cola, using the company’s trademark colors of red and white. This new, non-religious Santa became the standard image used in the USA.

   I see no reason to discuss whether or not to promote the icon to your children. But it is a pity that the legacy of a man so devoted to Jesus is today tarnished by controversy, and rejected by many Christians. We could all learn something from St. Nick.

For more on the life of St. Nicholas, visit http://preciousholidays.net/StNicholas.html