History of the Holidays: Easter
While browsing through some videos I came across this video (click on above link) from the History channel that gives a short overview of the meaning of the traditions of Easter. It begins with Christianity and moves into modern day traditions. It states that our traditions range from “spiritual” to “fun” (Does that promote the idea that “spiritual” is “boring”?). In any case, it is clear that the purpose of our Christian Easter traditions is to remember Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, and to renew our relationship with the living Christ.
During Lent, we have the opportunity to spend time reflecting on our need for God in our lives. Many Christians use Lenten devotional books to make a daily pilgrimage to a space set aside for communing with God and seeking a deeper understanding of His will. Palm Sunday is a Sunday when Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and then prepare for Holy Week, a time of remembering Christ’s betrayal and sacrifice. The reason for these Holy week church services is not to create yet one more time to “come to church”, but to allow the church to connect to a corporate remembrance of everything that leads up to Easter:
Our sin. Our need for redemption. The fulfilled promise of a Messiah. The Perfect Rabbi who taught by word and deed. The Humble Servant who led by example. The Healer who made others whole in body and spirit. The Bread of Life who offered us a new covenant and an invitation to remember Him by sharing His body and blood. The One who was denied and betrayed by friends and who asked His Father to forgive us because we didn’t realize what we were doing. The sinless Lamb of God who took our took our sin upon Himself to atone for our sin. The end of sin and death, won by the Son of God hanging upon a bloody cross.
The joy of Christmas moves into the meditative reflection of Lent. The serious heartbreak of Holy week moves into the unbounded joy of Easter. As those who are in the world, but not of it, we look for ways to celebrate coming out of darkness into light. We shop in stores filled with Easter bunnies, Peeps and chocolate candy. We have Easter egg hunts and share in Easter lunches with friends and family. I’m not advocating an abolishment of these traditions, but I encourage you to keep Christ first, especially at Easter. Teach your children the true meaning of Easter and then allow the Easter eggs to teach them about new life. Share with others the sweetness of Christ as you offer someone a chocolate rabbit. I pray that you will allow the Holy Spirit to work within you as you anticipate Easter Sunday. I pray that you will let Christ renew you and recreate you into a hurt-forgiving, faith-sharing, joy-filled and loving disciple of Christ.
During Lent, we have the opportunity to spend time reflecting on our need for God in our lives. Many Christians use Lenten devotional books to make a daily pilgrimage to a space set aside for communing with God and seeking a deeper understanding of His will. Palm Sunday is a Sunday when Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and then prepare for Holy Week, a time of remembering Christ’s betrayal and sacrifice. The reason for these Holy week church services is not to create yet one more time to “come to church”, but to allow the church to connect to a corporate remembrance of everything that leads up to Easter:
Our sin. Our need for redemption. The fulfilled promise of a Messiah. The Perfect Rabbi who taught by word and deed. The Humble Servant who led by example. The Healer who made others whole in body and spirit. The Bread of Life who offered us a new covenant and an invitation to remember Him by sharing His body and blood. The One who was denied and betrayed by friends and who asked His Father to forgive us because we didn’t realize what we were doing. The sinless Lamb of God who took our took our sin upon Himself to atone for our sin. The end of sin and death, won by the Son of God hanging upon a bloody cross.
The joy of Christmas moves into the meditative reflection of Lent. The serious heartbreak of Holy week moves into the unbounded joy of Easter. As those who are in the world, but not of it, we look for ways to celebrate coming out of darkness into light. We shop in stores filled with Easter bunnies, Peeps and chocolate candy. We have Easter egg hunts and share in Easter lunches with friends and family. I’m not advocating an abolishment of these traditions, but I encourage you to keep Christ first, especially at Easter. Teach your children the true meaning of Easter and then allow the Easter eggs to teach them about new life. Share with others the sweetness of Christ as you offer someone a chocolate rabbit. I pray that you will allow the Holy Spirit to work within you as you anticipate Easter Sunday. I pray that you will let Christ renew you and recreate you into a hurt-forgiving, faith-sharing, joy-filled and loving disciple of Christ.
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