Hello!! I've been one of those avid readers who looks forward to your newsletter, but haven't actually introduced myself. So wanting that to change :) I'm Rebekah, located in Seattle, and stumbled across your writings through Sarah Bessey. I have really loved your perspective, and as someone who has discovered my deep love of cooking food in the pandemic, it has been particularly fun to try your recipes. I hope someday to meet in person, but until then, hello!
I love reading about the red envelopes and the tradition of cleaning. Thank you for sharing your traditions with us. I’ve seen dragons associated with Chinese New Year-like in a parade. Is there a significance to that?
This really touched my heart, thank you Jeff. I grew up Catholic and still seek the pieces from that grounding that are meaningful. I also practice Chinese Medicine and just this short piece reminds me of my responsibility to be mindful and educated of the ways white culture has co-opted Chinese traditions and practices, including the practice of Chinese medicine in the U.S.
Thank you for this. I especially appreciate “ Here’s what I’ve been pondering: What if reclaiming tradition is part of being faithful? What if it doesn’t exist in tension with Christianity but resonates with it, and in finding new meaning, ancient practices gain fresh significance? What if reimagining these festivals is integral to understanding who I am and who I’m called to be?” Yes! Having a Cherokee great-grandmother and much Scottish Celtic blood in my veins, I have struggled with honoring my heritage. I am a Christian who was taught all of that was anti-Christ and evil. What I’m now learning (in my 7th decade of life) is that anything that brings us to Light and Love is Holy, and of Christ. So. Thank you. 🙏🏼
"May the coming of the Ox bring your soul steadiness even in the midst of turbulence, and may you find hope in its patient example and its steadfast presence." You have started me well with the gift of this letter. Thank you.
I didn’t know the new year greeting was changed by Christian influence! I just liked saying “Gung hay!” My mom used to make the daikon casserole, stinky in the shredding process but yummy when cooked. Gung hay!
My prayer practice has similarly changed over the years, to more of a running-conversation. I sometimes feel guilty and self-conscious about it. Thank you for normalizing just chatting with God, who knows who He is without me reminding Him.
I love the idea of meditating on the qualities of the of. It's like a communal word of the year. And what a great time for a steady, patient animal. I think we could use that right now.
Hi Jeff! As always, what a wonderful read. I love to hear the story of your life, both what's happening today and stories of your growing up years. This particular one, was very soothing to me. I love that you offer permission to examine why we do what we do. And assure us that that examination is not a disrespectful thing. Thank you for sharing your words and your heart. 💗 Happy New Year!
I am not Chinese, but many years ago when missions meant something different to me than it does today, I believed God was going to send me to China, and I endeavored to learn as much as I could. Ever since then I usually gather a group of friends to share a meal for Lunar New Year. It is different every year. I'm doing Chinese takeout this year and eating my dumplings and noodles and vegetables by myself. But I'm thinking much about what you've written here and wishing you and Tristan and Fozzie a very prosperous Lunar New Year🎊🧧🍊🍊🥟🏮🎆
Hello Jeff, I love reading your newsletters and just wanted you to know that I found your benediction really meaningful - "May the coming of the Ox bring your soul steadiness even in the midst of turbulence, and may you find hope in its patient example and its steadfast presence."
To me it was like a prayer that I've been needing to hear but didn't know what to say. I have never celebrated Chinese New Year and really know very little about it. But I'm inspired by your writing and the knowledge that my paternal grandmother was Chinese and Hawaiian and exploring this part of my heritage might be something worth investigating. Thank you!
Hello Jeff, I have been reading along with you throughout the pandemic and wanted to reach out and thank you for your writing. I have found your words to be such good company, refreshing and funny and thought provoking, as I have trudged along through this pandemic. Like everyone else, I have felt so isolated and it has been an encouragement to read your words each week. Thank you for sharing your work with us. I am so glad I stumbled across you via Twitter and then here. May you and yours experience much goodness during the new year. Thanks!
Hello, Jeff-I was hoping you would post about the Lunar New Year-thank you for doing so eloquently and informatively. I want to read and/or watch a movie that celebrates the New Year this weekend. The book Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li was suggested and I was wondering if you have read it. Would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks!
Happy New Year, Jeff. For the 8 or so years that I was a member of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Falls Church, VA, I was lucky to celebrate Tết with my church family, as we were an Anglo-Vietnamese parish. It was a glorious expression of how God’s love can bring together and reconcile those who had once been bitter enemies. We worshipped in both languages and shared one another’s beloved holiday traditions. Now that I’m here in Wisconsin, with a new parish that is overwhelmingly white and Eurocentric, I miss the diversity of celebration and my friends from so many countries and walks of life. Of course I love my new church family, they too are wonderful, giving people. But, I do miss the beautiful stars we hung in the church for Christmas and there are no spring rolls or rice vermicelli and shrimp on the potluck table. Another one hands out red envelopes to the children (yours are gorgeous!) and no lions come to dance for good luck.
Thank you for bringing back good memories and to you and Tristan, Chúc mừng năm mới!
Hello!! I've been one of those avid readers who looks forward to your newsletter, but haven't actually introduced myself. So wanting that to change :) I'm Rebekah, located in Seattle, and stumbled across your writings through Sarah Bessey. I have really loved your perspective, and as someone who has discovered my deep love of cooking food in the pandemic, it has been particularly fun to try your recipes. I hope someday to meet in person, but until then, hello!
I love reading about the red envelopes and the tradition of cleaning. Thank you for sharing your traditions with us. I’ve seen dragons associated with Chinese New Year-like in a parade. Is there a significance to that?
This really touched my heart, thank you Jeff. I grew up Catholic and still seek the pieces from that grounding that are meaningful. I also practice Chinese Medicine and just this short piece reminds me of my responsibility to be mindful and educated of the ways white culture has co-opted Chinese traditions and practices, including the practice of Chinese medicine in the U.S.
Thank you for this. I especially appreciate “ Here’s what I’ve been pondering: What if reclaiming tradition is part of being faithful? What if it doesn’t exist in tension with Christianity but resonates with it, and in finding new meaning, ancient practices gain fresh significance? What if reimagining these festivals is integral to understanding who I am and who I’m called to be?” Yes! Having a Cherokee great-grandmother and much Scottish Celtic blood in my veins, I have struggled with honoring my heritage. I am a Christian who was taught all of that was anti-Christ and evil. What I’m now learning (in my 7th decade of life) is that anything that brings us to Light and Love is Holy, and of Christ. So. Thank you. 🙏🏼
"May the coming of the Ox bring your soul steadiness even in the midst of turbulence, and may you find hope in its patient example and its steadfast presence." You have started me well with the gift of this letter. Thank you.
I didn’t know the new year greeting was changed by Christian influence! I just liked saying “Gung hay!” My mom used to make the daikon casserole, stinky in the shredding process but yummy when cooked. Gung hay!
My prayer practice has similarly changed over the years, to more of a running-conversation. I sometimes feel guilty and self-conscious about it. Thank you for normalizing just chatting with God, who knows who He is without me reminding Him.
I love the idea of meditating on the qualities of the of. It's like a communal word of the year. And what a great time for a steady, patient animal. I think we could use that right now.
Hi Jeff! As always, what a wonderful read. I love to hear the story of your life, both what's happening today and stories of your growing up years. This particular one, was very soothing to me. I love that you offer permission to examine why we do what we do. And assure us that that examination is not a disrespectful thing. Thank you for sharing your words and your heart. 💗 Happy New Year!
I am not Chinese, but many years ago when missions meant something different to me than it does today, I believed God was going to send me to China, and I endeavored to learn as much as I could. Ever since then I usually gather a group of friends to share a meal for Lunar New Year. It is different every year. I'm doing Chinese takeout this year and eating my dumplings and noodles and vegetables by myself. But I'm thinking much about what you've written here and wishing you and Tristan and Fozzie a very prosperous Lunar New Year🎊🧧🍊🍊🥟🏮🎆
Hello Jeff, I love reading your newsletters and just wanted you to know that I found your benediction really meaningful - "May the coming of the Ox bring your soul steadiness even in the midst of turbulence, and may you find hope in its patient example and its steadfast presence."
To me it was like a prayer that I've been needing to hear but didn't know what to say. I have never celebrated Chinese New Year and really know very little about it. But I'm inspired by your writing and the knowledge that my paternal grandmother was Chinese and Hawaiian and exploring this part of my heritage might be something worth investigating. Thank you!
Hello Jeff, I have been reading along with you throughout the pandemic and wanted to reach out and thank you for your writing. I have found your words to be such good company, refreshing and funny and thought provoking, as I have trudged along through this pandemic. Like everyone else, I have felt so isolated and it has been an encouragement to read your words each week. Thank you for sharing your work with us. I am so glad I stumbled across you via Twitter and then here. May you and yours experience much goodness during the new year. Thanks!
Hello, Jeff-I was hoping you would post about the Lunar New Year-thank you for doing so eloquently and informatively. I want to read and/or watch a movie that celebrates the New Year this weekend. The book Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li was suggested and I was wondering if you have read it. Would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks!
Happy New Year, Jeff. For the 8 or so years that I was a member of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Falls Church, VA, I was lucky to celebrate Tết with my church family, as we were an Anglo-Vietnamese parish. It was a glorious expression of how God’s love can bring together and reconcile those who had once been bitter enemies. We worshipped in both languages and shared one another’s beloved holiday traditions. Now that I’m here in Wisconsin, with a new parish that is overwhelmingly white and Eurocentric, I miss the diversity of celebration and my friends from so many countries and walks of life. Of course I love my new church family, they too are wonderful, giving people. But, I do miss the beautiful stars we hung in the church for Christmas and there are no spring rolls or rice vermicelli and shrimp on the potluck table. Another one hands out red envelopes to the children (yours are gorgeous!) and no lions come to dance for good luck.
Thank you for bringing back good memories and to you and Tristan, Chúc mừng năm mới!
Sharon