Mondays with the Whites 
Volume 8   February 19, 2018   

Everyone is on vacation–or almost everyone.

• The Lunar New Year is the one time of year when most people take a break from their work and spend time with family.
• Traditionally, Chinese New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are spent with the husband’s side of the family.
• The second day of the new year is spent with the wife’s side of the family.
• The third and fourth days are times when people visit with friends and go out to play.
• Gifts are exchanged and red envelopes containing money are given to the children and the elderly.
• Feasting and spending time together are the priorities for most people.  Those who follow the traditional religions will likely go to at least one temple to pray for health, wealth, harmony, and success in studies.
• Fire crackers can be set off at any hour of the day on any day to celebrate, as well as to ward off evil and bring luck.  It is for the latter reason that many will set off long strings of the noise-makers prior to reopening their businesses after the vacation.

Christian believers also participate in the activities of the season.  The traditional blessings are sometimes replaced by spiritual ones, like the ones written in the photo above.  Faith in Christ means that they do not live in fear, but rather have lives filled with joy, grace, and Christ’s strength.  They must find ways to preserve loving relationships with family members, and at the same time live out their faith.

Thank-you for remembering your Christian brothers and sisters during this time.  They need courage and wisdom as to live lives of integrity that witness about their relationship with Christ.  We need wisdom to know how to encourage and counsel people.