A Celebration . . .

Who ate my chocolate Bunny? My first Easter with dad in 1964.

Candy!

White gloves, lacy ankle socks, hunting eggs in flouncy dresses, baskets filled with chocolate eggs and marshmallow bunnies, food laden tables, family and friends . . . these are my childhood remembrances of Easter. 

If I recall correctly, I believe it's been about four or so years since the kids, grands and I were last able to gather for this holiday. I'm currently working remotely and honestly, Easter slipped my mind until a colleague attempted to educate me, from his self-proclaimed pagan perspective, on the Christian facets of this celebration. 

Holidays incite strong emotions for many. Christmas and my birthday are my particular triggers; for these are times I especially desire to celebrate surrounded by those I love. During a celibate season, Valentine’s taunted . . . until I learned to embrace and enjoy the richness afforded the single life.

Holidays serve as imperative reminders of our need to slow our pace and momentarily step back from the structure of our lives to reflect, to gather, to celebrate and to give thanks.

Holidays and their associated rituals reflect belief systems which in turn speak to the quality of our lives or at least our aspirations toward such goals. Holidays expose our heart’s hurts and our vulnerabilities and our desire for community where we may still need to invest time into developing or perhaps even forgiving.

In the quiet, I pondered why I’d given such little thought to this holiday; for to me, Easter is the essence of what compasses each aspect of my life. And then I realized, Easter is my heart’s daily contemplation and not a mere seasonal observation.
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The stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty and the risen Savior resides in the hearts of ALL who welcome him, this Easter Day and every day. This kind and eternal love is my daily celebration. I pray your heart, too, embraces and rejoices in Jesus’ love for . . . you.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." 

Happy Easter.

New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.