I’m not sure I have much to say today that revolves around a particular “theme” for a particularly cohesive post.
Not unusual, I know.
I have a lot of things bouncing around in my brain that are itching to get typed out, but how to type them all out is beyond me. I suppose I am feeling obligated to post something since I took an all-around blogging bread (do I have bread on the brain or what?) break this weekend.
Today, I am trying to make some Honey Wheat Bread. I tried this weekend, but forgot about it in the oven for many hours during the first rise. Hehehe. Does bread cook itself when you do that? It appeared so and it was bizarre. Trashed. Off to the store we went today to buy a jar of active dry yeast (done with the packets) and try again.
In gardening news, my black thumb made its appearance again but my perfectionist husband has taken over, with ever-appreciative thanks. I’m quite certain we’ll be overflowing with veggies before too long. He is quite meticulous and prone to research with these things. It’s actually kind of fun seeing his enthusiasm for it.
The celebration of Jesus’ resurrection yesterday was great – it was a beautiful day, it really was. This is where I am going to rock some boats, I think. These are my own personal convictions, but convictions that weigh heavy on my heart. I am so burdened by the continual connection of the “Easter” bunny and eggs and candy and fancy dresses and new clothes with a day that is so holy, a day that Christ wants us to come to Him just as we are. The word “Easter” is not even connected to this day in any way Biblically…google it to find out for yourself. I find that I even struggle to say “Happy Easter” like it’s a bad taste in my mouth, and instead want to shout “He is risen!”
In the past couple of years, I find I have gradually shifted over to saying “Resurrection Sunday” – to bring my focus where it should be, and off of the rabbit, the eggs, the clothes, and the candy.
I know this is a highly debateable topic about the good/bad/harmlessness/harmfulness/legalism-or-not of this…but it’s my blog, to share my thoughts and faith-walk. And this is what is weighing heavy on my heart.
I cringe when I see the Easter bunny.
And while we’re on the subject, why the pastel colors? Tradition, I suppose. But really, the colors that come to my mind are stark white – purity. And red. Blood red.
We don’t do the Easter bunny, although we have egg hunts and it was fun to dress Lucy up. We also don’t do Santa Claus, and our families just don’t understand why not? “What’s the harm???” they always ask. Well, we did do Santa and the Easter Bunny w/Ethan, and there came a year when he couldn’t tell us what the holidays were actually about – not even close – yet he could tell us all about Santa and presents and a big bunny who leaves plastic candy-filled eggs… and that was the end of that! We haven’t looked back, and now I also cringe when I see the bunnies and Santas.
Anyways, just wanted to say that, on this matter, I agree!
Easter was probably merged with some celebration of Spring, which explains the pastels and the bunnies, etc… Just like Christmas was merged with the Winter Solstice.
We sort of do the bunny. The kids get baskets of goodies from the bunny, but we seldom bother with seeing the bunny at the mall or anything. I read them Bible stories Thurs/Fri and Sat night to explain what everything was about, and I washed their feet. Corey also washed my feet and David’s at church. Haydn opted out.
We don’t have Easter buuny, baskets or even new clothes for Easter here in N Ireland. Well – a few do, and the shops are certainly pushing it, but now many do.
We do have a few chocolate eggs, and roll hard boiled eggs down a hill.
I much prefer the idea of Resurrection Sunday – will try to start to use that.
The Easter Bunny freaks me out too! In the past we’ve done the basket thingy, but obviously with a toddler guess who the candy is for? This year it was one chocolate bunny. Probably won’t be anything next year. Who knows. But the funny thing is, we’ve been very intentional with L this year about how Santa is pretend along with the Easter Bunny. But she doesn’t believe us! She most definately things Santa is real!! We just sit and shake our heads.
Tara, you may find this interesting. In Moldova, nobody says “Pashte Fericita”, which translates to Happy Easter. Instead, starting on Easter and for the following 40 days, when you greet someone you say “Hristos a inviat”, Christ is risen. The response is always “Adeverat, a inviat”, True, He is risen.
I don’t mind Easter bunnies and Santa Clause’s and that sort of thing too much. As a parent, it’s my job to prepare my children to live in the world on their own someday. And there are a lot of people in the world that don’t understand the real significance of Easter and Christmas.
So the Easter bunnies and Santa Clause’s give me a good excuse to talk about those things with them.
I like the idea of dressing up at Easter though. One thing I stress to my Sunday school class is that Easter is the Most Important day of the Christian year. Jesus dying on the Cross and rising again is what the entire Bible is all about. So dressing up to celebrate the most important event to have ever occurred is ok by me. (Plus the kids always look so cute in their fancy clothes!)
But I think the main reason why I don’t worry so much about the Easter bunny and egg hunts and stuff like that is because we try and teach them about the true significance of Easter EVERY day. Anytime, I do a Bible lesson, either at home or at church, it’s all tied to the Cross. No matter what the story is, we talk about its place in the Bible and how it relates to God’s nature or His plan of salvation. So understanding the significance of the Easter holiday becomes really easy.
‘Why’s Easter the most important holiday? Because it celebrates the most important part of the Bible. You know that thing we talk about every single day? That’s why…Now go put on your fancy vest!’
Christmas though…we’ve had to take more drastic measures with Christmas…
@BigKat
Great answer, Katsuda, thank you!
OH!!! I like what you said about the colors of easter…Tara that’s awesome.