As I was doing my weekly grocery shopping the other day, I was amazed to find a whole section devoted to Easter bunnies, chocolate eggs, peeps, sugary treats, cavity makers and artificial grass – along with baskets of all sizes and shapes filled with toys and more sweet stuff. Maybe it has something to do with growing older, because when I was a young mom, the Easter bunny was a big part of this most holy of days.
When our children are growing up, why do we feel we have to sugar coat everything? I mean it’s the same with Christmas and other Christian observances as well. Anything wrapped in chocolate becomes our focus. The truth of Good Friday isn’t pretty at all. It’s raw and ugly. The suffering Savior, bruised for our iniquities died. He was buried in the secure tomb of a rich man. He overcame death and foreshadowed our resurrection through His own.
Again, maybe it’s because I’m aging ungracefully. My ideas about Christian holy days has deepened over time and I get a little miffed at the thought of my salvation being covered with jelly beans and chocolate eggs. Maybe it’s because I can’t afford to indulge in those special treats and gifts as much as I once did. Maybe it’s because our world has forgotten what was involved in that original Easter morning. Instead of being shrouded in empty burial cloths, we’ve chosen to view Easter as the coming of spring.
What is Easter all about? Is it all about me? Is it all about celebrating? Is it just another day? Is it about fancy clothes and gorgeous spring flowers? Is it time for another extravagant feast with special food and over indulgence? Yes to most of those questions. Unfortunately, the most important of Christian holidays has been commercialized into just another flashy, marketing extravaganza.
Truly, Easter is all about JESUS! HE is the One who took on the sin of the world. HE did so willingly, because of His love for us. HE suffered, was humiliated, broken, pierced, spat upon, tortured, bloodied and abandoned by God. HE endured all of this so we wouldn’t have to. HE died. HE conquered the devil and fulfilled the covenant between man and God. HE ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY!
Take time this Easter weekend to think about why we Christians are so happy about this amazing grace. Ponder the cost. Get down on your knees and thank Jesus for what HE has done for us and bring on the Alleluias.
atimetoshare.me 
I agree, Kathy. I don’t even like to call the day Easter, because it’s my understanding that this is an English version of the name of a pagan goddess who was worshipped as the goddess of fertility and new life in the spring, which is where fertile rabbits and eggs come in. I prefer to call this day of Christian celebration, Resurrection Day.
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A couple of months ago, I wrote a short story in my Deviled Yeggs stories (The Tortoise and the Hair) where Easter explains his name. He mentions the Teutonic goddess, but he preferred the Old German word Eostarum (sp?) which means “many dawns” or basically Holy Week. They may have the same root, but… I like your idea of calling it Resurrection Day. It removes controversy. Now if we can just move Jesus’ birth to some time in June and leave Christmas for when the Wise Men arrived, we’ll be all set.
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I knew I could count on you for more insight. Thanks❤️
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Got to employ the research!
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I picked up a Hallmark card at WalMart about 10-15 years ago. The cover said, “What is spring all about?” It was one of those multi-fold cards. The first two or three were just long grass. Then you saw the hint of an Easter Egg in next two or three folds. Then the card read, “It’s Spring.” And next to the Easter Egg was the bunny. I put that card back on the shelf and have never bought a HallMark card since. At the time, my wife did rubber stamping, making all our greeting cards, but those days are gone.
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I’m praying that your wife is doing better. It’s so hard to be a positive caregiver when one thing after another happens. Paul had his catheter removed yesterday and we were hopeful. Last night his original pain returned, and he can’t pee, So he’s right back at square one.
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Ouch. I still pray for both of you. For Kitty, it is a slow process. And as you suggested, not a straight line. Her hemoglobin is better than a week ago but no where near low normal.
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Continued prayers for kitty and you❤️
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Sis, I so agree and this is timely too. Back in the early 2000’s I had a ministry forum and posted some history about the origin of the Easter celebration. Anyway, am getting it updated for this Sunday. I was hesitant, but your post just gave me confirmation!! Thank you and God Bless Sis!!!
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Glad to feed your creativity. May God bless your ministry and use you to glorify His name. Happy Easter. He is risen!
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Amen and AMEN indeed!!! God Bless, Sis!
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Great post of truth, Kathy! I’m so happy to know the real reason of Easter!! When my boys were little, in the 90’s, I had a cute carton of eggs called The Resurrection Eggs. Each egg contained a little object that signified the last week of Jesus’ life. I gave them to my oldest son and some pieces were missing. I live in an area, where even though we still do egg hunts and have bunnies, we KNOW THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! Yay! God bless you! He is Risen indeed! Sending much love, Kathy
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Happy Resurrection Day to you and your family❤️❤️
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Reblogged this on FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.
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Thanks
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Great post I hope you are encouraged by my post. https://austingreenj1633.com/2022/04/15/why-is-it-a-good-friday/
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