Ancestors’ Day approaches. In early April, many Chinese observe the Ching Ming Festival. They go to the cemetery with cleaning materials, traditional food dishes, joss sticks, and silver-leafed paper. Some carry willow branches. Of primary importance, they go as a family. They sweep the graves. Families set fruit and meat before the pictures of the family’s ancestors. They light joss sticks, and the fragrant aroma of incense accompanies an offering of heavy smoke. Family members kneel and pray before the tombs. Some people pray to their ancestors, while others express gratitude for their ancestors. Traditionalists burn silver-leafed paper, spirit money, to help their loved ones enjoy a good afterlife. The willow branches dispel troubling evil spirits who might do harm to the living family.
Believing ancestral spirits influence the lives of their descendants for better or worse, many include them in their daily lives. They display strong ties with the departed by having small ancestral shrines in their homes. Daily offerings accompany burning joss sticks before the pictures of deceased loved ones.
Misunderstanding the Influence of Ancestors
The Western world downplays these activities. However, the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism reminds us of our limitations.
The influence of the enlightenment in our education, which traces everything to natural causes, has further dulled our consciousness of the power of darkness.
1993 Statement on Spiritual Warfare
Since the gospel addresses the whole person, no witness should discount deeply held beliefs of pre-believers. Otherwise, she may lose the opportunity to share her faith. We may not agree with their traditions, but we need to hear them. In listening, we learn more about the person we are relating to and her culture. Also, we can discover ways to communicate the claims of Christ.
Asians teach even their youngest children to respect their elders, holding up the ideal of filial piety. Family ties are at the heart of many cultures. If a Christian refuses to join the family ceremonies, he faces accusations of rejecting his ancestors. Family members ask, “Why are you leaving us to join them?”
Christians are not anti-family. In fact, a significant command is, “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12). Christ-followers from traditional cultures must honor their departed loved ones. We do not want to Christianize non-Christian practices, but we do respect the deceased. No one should fear the memory of her honored ancestors would perish if she becomes a Christian.
How to Honor Ancestors without Worship
Why not help people compile a book of ancestral remembrances? The church could guide people to create a short history of the family. With thirty short sections, families review one section a day during a designated month. In addition, choose one day each week to pray for family members. They might thank God for past achievements and request guidance for the future. Wouldn’t the youngest to the oldest enjoy working together to give a unique Christmas gift to a charity or needy person in the name of an ancestor?
None of these suggestions asks ancestors to step over the line separating the living and the dead. No one is asking for favors from the dead. Any prayers regarding ancestors express gratitude to God for them. So, let us explore significant ways to show respect to the memory of ancestors while honoring the way of Jesus Christ. The Christian family can take deliberate steps to show strong family ties in a Christian context.
Conclusion
When one becomes a Jesus-follower, he enters the family of God. We will strengthen our Christian witness by discovering better ways to honor and respect our ancestors.
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The Ancestors Question
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Posted: March 18, 2020 by Harry Lucenay
Ancestors’ Day approaches. In early April, many Chinese observe the Ching Ming Festival. They go to the cemetery with cleaning materials, traditional food dishes, joss sticks, and silver-leafed paper. Some carry willow branches. Of primary importance, they go as a family. They sweep the graves. Families set fruit and meat before the pictures of the family’s ancestors. They light joss sticks, and the fragrant aroma of incense accompanies an offering of heavy smoke. Family members kneel and pray before the tombs. Some people pray to their ancestors, while others express gratitude for their ancestors. Traditionalists burn silver-leafed paper, spirit money, to help their loved ones enjoy a good afterlife. The willow branches dispel troubling evil spirits who might do harm to the living family.
Believing ancestral spirits influence the lives of their descendants for better or worse, many include them in their daily lives. They display strong ties with the departed by having small ancestral shrines in their homes. Daily offerings accompany burning joss sticks before the pictures of deceased loved ones.
Misunderstanding the Influence of Ancestors
The Western world downplays these activities. However, the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism reminds us of our limitations.
Since the gospel addresses the whole person, no witness should discount deeply held beliefs of pre-believers. Otherwise, she may lose the opportunity to share her faith. We may not agree with their traditions, but we need to hear them. In listening, we learn more about the person we are relating to and her culture. Also, we can discover ways to communicate the claims of Christ.
How should Christians address the Ancestors Question?
Asians teach even their youngest children to respect their elders, holding up the ideal of filial piety. Family ties are at the heart of many cultures. If a Christian refuses to join the family ceremonies, he faces accusations of rejecting his ancestors. Family members ask, “Why are you leaving us to join them?”
Christians are not anti-family. In fact, a significant command is, “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12). Christ-followers from traditional cultures must honor their departed loved ones. We do not want to Christianize non-Christian practices, but we do respect the deceased. No one should fear the memory of her honored ancestors would perish if she becomes a Christian.
How to Honor Ancestors without Worship
Why not help people compile a book of ancestral remembrances? The church could guide people to create a short history of the family. With thirty short sections, families review one section a day during a designated month. In addition, choose one day each week to pray for family members. They might thank God for past achievements and request guidance for the future. Wouldn’t the youngest to the oldest enjoy working together to give a unique Christmas gift to a charity or needy person in the name of an ancestor?
None of these suggestions asks ancestors to step over the line separating the living and the dead. No one is asking for favors from the dead. Any prayers regarding ancestors express gratitude to God for them. So, let us explore significant ways to show respect to the memory of ancestors while honoring the way of Jesus Christ. The Christian family can take deliberate steps to show strong family ties in a Christian context.
Conclusion
When one becomes a Jesus-follower, he enters the family of God. We will strengthen our Christian witness by discovering better ways to honor and respect our ancestors.
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Category: Ministry Helps, Worship Tags: ancestors, Christians, families, respect, spirit, worship