That is the commercial aspect of Easter. On the spiritual side, it is a time for reflection. Lent begins next Wednesday. My home church is participating with several other community churches in a series of Lenten services every Wednesday night till the week before Easter. Then there will be a solemn Good Friday service with communion and footwashing. On Easter morning, if the pattern follows as other years, we will have the opportunity to eat breakfast together at church followed by a joyous Easter service celebrating both Jesus' resurrection and the hope for our own resurrection to new life.
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I love Easter. there is such a huge tradition behind it in Germany.
The evening before we sit down with the entire family, paint eggs and make little Easter nests. In teh morning teh whole family takes a long walk and ends in a forrest where children looks for their Easter nest...which has some sweets and small toys in it. Then there is a huge gathering of people in the town square and all together walk singing through the streets and selebrate this day!
monika, that sounds neat.
As kids, we would as a family color eggs for our Easter Baskets for which Mom and Dad would also provide jelly beans, chocolates, and marshmellow chicks and rabbits.
They also held devotions with us children each night before going to bed which often would reflect on the religious meaning of the Christian holidays that came around each year. We also in later years often would get together as a family for dinner on Easter Sunday.
Love the photo!
All the bright colors really are representative of how one's soul should feel on Easter morning.
As far as the Easter Eggs, well, I still can't smell vinegar to this day without thinking of Paas.
;)
Thanks, ma beck. And you're right. One's soul should feel bright on Easter morn.
Easter is a special time however all the commercialism that goes with it beginning a week or so after the new year in stores down here, just kills it and makes it more of a money making a business venture.
Commercialism plagues many a religious holiday in many places. It often does bring lots of distraction and/or distortion of the true meaning of a holiday. But I think each individual can choose for herself or himself whether said holiday is going to be personally meaningful. That said, it is not always easy. The environment in which we live and move can wear down on us. For me, that's one reason I appreciate my church community where I can find support and renewal.
Thanks for dropping by.
Heck that's a lot of candy! The marshmellow bunnies are my favorite type of Easter Candy, and sadly since I don't go to church or have kids to paint Easter eggs with, the holiday has come to mean CANDY to me. Finding a way to celebrate holidays in a meaningful way can be a challenge in our very commercial times, but it can be done if you take the time. Your plans sound great Tim, especially the Easter service breakfast. Maybe I'll cook an Easter meal this time!
Thanks, crystal. You're right that it can be a challenge to make holidays meaningful. To do so takes time and planning. And sometimes for a variety of reasons that just doesn't happen. For me, one of the biggest ways to make holidays meaningful is to spend time with people who are dear to me or with people who are less fortunate than me. Taking time for reflection and worship is also helpful.
Hi pilgrim. What are some of the traditions that your family practices at these holidays to point to Christ? I'd be interested in hearing about them.
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