CrossPoint Community News 1/20/2023

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

       On this beautiful snowy day, it seems like the landscape is made new, through a blanket of fluffy snow. In the coming days, the year will be made new, and covered with a coat of fluffy fur! Tomorrow is Chinese New Year’s Eve! Sunday we will say, Happy New Year! 2023 will be the year of the rabbit.
       One of the traditions of Chinese New Year is handing out or receiving Hong Bao (Red Envelopes). When I first came to the church, I was told that these envelopes were given to those who were unmarried. So, I received one or two as a Seminarian. It was a pleasant surprise for me to find that they had money in them.
       According to chinesenewyear.net/red-pockets/, red pockets or envelopes started to be given during the Han dynasty. They were given with collectible coins, for the purpose of warding off evil spirits. Other traditions related to these red envelopes are full of symbolism and meaning and involve seeking good fortune for the coming year.
       The practice of giving a red envelope points to the greatest gift of all, God himself. God gave himself to his creation, in his presence in the Garden. After sin entered the world through the disobedience of our first parents, God provided them with a new covering, not to ward off evil spirits, but to ward off shame. God continued to give himself to his people – calling Abram out of Ur, to give him promises. He created a nation that was called to be a blessing. But that didn’t go well either, due to sin.
       So God dealt with sin, by sending Jesus for us. Jesus came and died in our place. He shed his blood, since it is impossible for the blood of goats and bulls to take away sins. He gave his life for us and rose again from the dead. He gives us the greatest gift – namely himself, in the Holy Spirit, who lives in us. God continues to bless us through his care and provision, so that we may be a blessing to others. But the greatest blessing of all is for men and women and children to know, love, and live for our great God, who gives us Himself. As he covers us with his righteousness, he covers over our shame, and exalts us to be part of his family, extending his honor to us.
       May the giving and receiving of Hong Bao this Chinese New Year remind you of the giving of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, not only that we may receive blessings, but so that we may be a blessing and God may be glorified, who alone is worthy of honor, who has removed our shame through Christ.

       Also, please continue to pray for the nation of Ukraine. Here is a suggested list of prayers if you are at a loss for words in how to pray: https://send.org/story/hh_pray_for_ukraine. Thank you for kneeling on behalf of the people of Ukraine and Russia, and taking a stand (or a knee in prayer) against the forces of darkness in this present age.