This weekend passed with too much ease(ter)

We celebrate Easter to commemorate Jesus' death and resurrection, and yet Easter has evolved from being a sad-yet-joyful remembrance, to a time where pink and blue bunnies poo eggs all over our houses for us to excitedly find and eat. (I say this as one who comes from a family with this tradition)

This shocking transition is not news to anyone, I know. I understand the need to make Easter more fun for children, but how did we get bunnies and chickens from Jesus' death and resurrection? I understand the secularization (I hesitate to say "paganization") of Easter makes it a holiday everyone-even non-Christians-can enjoy, but is that necessary? It just gives companies another opportunity to milk the consumers for all they're worth. (I say this as one who enjoys chocolate very much)

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I struggle very hard to experience Easter with the appropriate mind set, in utter remembrance of what our Lord did for us. This year, however was different. I was invited to sing a heart-wrenching solo at Tavistock Mennonite church, which I was so grateful for, as it gave me a chance to express my personal mourning over Jesus' cruel death. That night Will and I watched the "Passion", which again stirred me to react to the reality of Jesus' inhumane mission (albeit not entirely realistic, as Mel took some artistic liberties, I'm sure) For those opportunities I was extremely grateful. However, I went from that to thinking about how much chocolate I could find and making sure my brother didn't steal any (yes, we're both adults).

I have to try very hard to see Easter for what it is, as I wasn't raised that way. Perhaps our secular holiday has some legitimate connections to the historical events (eg. Eggs = new life, searching for eggs = seeking new life in God, etc), but I never learned of that.

I want very much to "ease" myself out of the "happy bunny Easter" mind set to truly re-living Christ's heroic death for our salvation, and resurrection which overcame death. That's not to say my children can't have chocolate eggs over Easter, but I hope I can teach them why they are eating chocolate eggs.

   [ posted by Anabee @ 8:04 AM ]