Every year Easter produces this marshmallow candy we all know as Peeps. Some like to eat them...some like to battle with them (Yisha and Betsy)...and some like to watch them puff up in the microwave! For now, however, they will serve as the inspiration for my blog title...
Well, another Easter has come and gone. This year I found more and more complaints about the fabled Easter Bunny from Christians. I had never really thought about it. Now I don’t want this to turn into a rant about how Hallmark is ruining our holidays; nor do I want this to turn into a Christian tirade about how Satan is winning this battle. Instead, I’d like you to see it from my side…
I think, in all honesty, there is nothing wrong with being Christian and a little worldly at the same time. Modern Christians are taught to “Live IN the world but not OF the world,” and I think the same principle applies to Easter. For Christians, we believe we have the privilege of celebrating and commemorating the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior. This should always be at the forefront of our minds, especially during the Easter holiday. As I explain it to my non-believing friends, Christmas has no meaning without Easter. It’s just another day. That’s not to say, I can’t have a little fun either. Besides, every respectable holiday is made that much better by CANDY! As long as I know (to steal a Christmas saying) that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season,” I just don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I have complete faith that parents can incorporate both.
Sure, Easter has turned more secular for a lot of people. There are non-Christian aspects like the Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunts, Easter egg baskets, etc. These, for a large part, have their origins deep-seeded in pagan traditions. As Kearstin has explained it to me,
The Christian holiday of Easter and the forty-day seasonal festival proceeding it has incorporated within it numerous pagan traditions. The very name of Easter has its derivation from the German northern Goddess of Spring and Dawn: Eostre. Some point out the relevance of the Pagan worship of the eastern sky. This can be seen in the story of Tammuz and Ishtar. This pagan myth is also referenced in Ezekiel 8:13-16. The celebrations for Eostre were held around the Vernal Equinox; instead of removing a beloved festival from an already oppressed people the Church simply added the Christian view to many of the traditional rites. The most well known commentary of the change from Eostre to Easter would be the Venerable Bede in his De Temporum Ratione. The effects of this blending can be seen in modern Easter traditions. Several rites were converted to the Christian tradition each of them subtly altered in order to bear a Christian significance. An example would be that of the Easter egg, which in pagan rituals represented new birth and life. From coloring, to hiding, the tradition of eggs at the equinox has been celebrated since long before the Christian era. Eggs were exchanged at spring festivals as a symbol of the revival of life after winter. The bright colors of the eggs were to show new life. The Christian twist added to this tradition was the early tradition of coloring the eggs red and white to symbolize Christ's sacrifice and purity and later traditions included the paintings of Saints and crosses onto the eggs. With modernity this Christian tradition has faded and given way again to its Pagan predecessor and its penchant for bright colors. The bunny that delivers these eggs in modern tradition also has its origins in pagan tradition. Pagan tradition has long held the rabbit as a symbol of fertility. The representation of the bunny and the eggs together for the Pagans meant new life and the promise of new growth for crops.
For my Easter weekend, I like to combine both Christian and secular traditions. On Good Friday, I went to a 3 hour long service with a friend. It was a great way to begin my Easter weekend. First and foremost, it became a celebration of the sacrifice made by Christ for everyone. Our Pastor Louie Giglio preached. I thought it was a very profound message; he said, because of Christ’s act, Sin, Death, Guilt, Shame, and Self-Righteousness are all conquered and finished…Forever. I loved this message, and it really got me into the Easter mood…Christian style!
The next day, however, I started in on my more secular Easter traditions. I got up and took my 2 year-old niece to an Easter egg hunt (see our picture below). She was thrilled by the stuffed rabbit she received and ecstatic to see all the CHOCOLATE! (Or in two year-old speak…CHOCWATE!) I loved spending this time with her, even though I had to leave Atlanta by 6am to make it to Knoxville in time. As I told my brother, there are only so many years that this is going to be fun for her; I don’t want to miss it. Later that night, I dyed Easter eggs with my mom. We have had this tradition since I was a child, and I still love it. It’s a great way to spend time with family, continue traditions that I want to share with my own children one day, and after we make Easter egg salad! (It’s just egg salad with dyed Easter eggs so it comes out with the colors that have seeped through).
My favorite 2-year old scoring big in the Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, I think, is a mixture of both Christian and worldly traditions. I get up and go to the Sunrise Easter service with my parents. I love doing this, even though my church doesn’t do a true sunrise service. Instead, they put a tacky little sunrise up on the screens that progresses throughout the service. I love waking up to the realization that my Savior is Risen and alive. After our church festivities, we go to lunch at grandma’s house. We always have chicken n dumplings, my absolute favorite! No one can cook like grandma! This is a day, for me, to revel in the Christian faith, while, at the same time, be thankful for having a family that has brought me up in the Christian tradition.
Monday is a time solely for the secular traditions. It’s back to everyday life with one exception. Monday is when all the Easter candy goes on sale! I wait all year long for my Easter candy. The day after it’s all discounted, and I can stock up:).
So, for me, Easter is a time to celebrate my Risen Savior. It’s also time to spend with family, keep up traditions, and make memories. I have absolutely no problem with the secular traditions like the Easter Bunny, candy, baskets, and hunts…as long as Christ stays at the forefront of my mind. For me, I think it’s best summed up in the poem below. It’s a take on Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by an anonymous pastor…Enjoy!
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE EASTER
Every Who down in Who-ville liked Easter a lot...
But the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did not!
The Grinch hated Easter, the whole Lenten season,
And if you’ll be patient, I’ll tell you the reason.
It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But that wasn’t the reason he loathed with such might.
The Grinch hated Easter, alone in his cave,
‘Cause his heart was as dead and as dark as the grave.
So he stood there, on Good Friday, and he pictured the scene,
Of Easter in Who-ville and all it would mean.
They would rise with “He’s Risen” on each pair of Who lips,
And they’d dress for church services and after church trips.
“They’re rehearsing cantatas and pageants and prayers,
They are ironing their clothes and they’re curling their hair.”
Then he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming,
“I MUST find some way to stop Easter from coming!”
For on Easter he knew, all the Who boys and girls,
Would have much more to think of than fashions and curls.
They would think of their Savior, and all girls and boys,
Would open their Who mouths and make joyful noise.
And that’s one thing he hated, the Noise, Noise, Noise, Noise!
Then the Whos, young and old, would fold hands and bow heads,
While prayers of thanksgiving and worship were said.
Then they’d sing about Jesus, how He died, how He lives,
Then some windbag would talk on the hope that He gives.
And then they’d do something he liked least of all,
Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,
Would stand close together, with Easter bells ringing,
They’d hold hands in a circle, and they’d pass Easter Greetings!
“Go under His mercy”, they’d say to their brother,
“The Lord bless and keep you”, they’d say to each other.
And the thought galled the Grinch from his hat to his shoelace,
And a frown seemed to darken each part of his Grinch-face.
“Why, for 53 years I’ve put up with it now!
I must stop this Easter from coming... But how?”
Then he got an idea? And awful idea!
The Grinch got a Wonderful, Awful Idea!
“I know just what to do,” the Grinch said with a hoot,
And he made a quick pair of Bunny ears and a suit.
And he chuckled and clucked, “What a great Grinchy trick!
With these ears and this suit I can steal Easter... slick!”
He died baskets pink and he filled them with grass,
Then he set one aside for each Who-lad and Who-lass.
Then he went to the Who-Mart, charged his card to the max,
Spending thousands on chocolates, not counting the tax.
Then he bought fancy bonnets and gaudy bow ties,
And he grinned as he pictured Who giggles and sighs.
“This will keep them from praying and singing those songs,
This will please and distract them for all the day long.”
Then he loaded the goodies and baskets and clothes,
The bonnets and dresses and ties that make bows,
And he packed his Suburban till it threatened to pop,
And he grinned as he mumbled, “This Easter must stop!”
Then long after midnight, with each Who in his bed,
While thoughts of Sweet Jesus filled every Who head,
The Grinch left for each as they finished their nap,
A sweet basket of candy, a distraction, a trap.
He smiled his Grinch smile as he tiptoed away,
And he pictured the mess he would cause the next day.
He pictured the Whos rising and finding their stash,
And forgetting about Jesus in less than a flash.
They would fight over chocolates, over bonnets and toys,
They’d forget about praying and making glad noise.
“We can’t get them dressed” would shout Who dads and Who-mums,
“They’re covered with chocolate from their nose to their bums.
From their heart to their heads they’re absorbed with themselves,
We’ll have to put Easter and such on the shelves!”
The Grinch hardly slept as he waited the dawn,
He could not stop imagining the row that would come.
“Pooh-pooh to the Whos” he was grinch-ish-ly humming,
“They are finding out now that no Easter is coming.
They are just waking up. I know just how they’ll be!
Their mouths will hang open a minute or three,
Then the Whos will all shout, “Easter’s all about ME!”
And they’ll forget the Carpenter of Old Galilee.
The Grinch cocked his head, put his hand to his ear,
“That’s a noise,” grinned the Grinch, “That I simply must hear!”
And he did hear a noise rising over the meadow,
It started in low, and it started to grow.
But the sound wasn’t selfish or angry or sad,
It just couldn’t be so, but the sound sounded glad!
He stared down at Who-ville and the Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who boy and girl had their chocolates and bonnets,
But every Who face had a peaceful smile on it!
They had their bow ties and their chocolate treat basket,
But the Grinch had a question and he just had to ask it.
“Why aren’t they distracted and selfish and rude,
Why aren’t they absorbed with their dresses and food?
Could it be that they’ll sing whether chocolate or not;
Could it be I don’t understand Easter one jot?”
What happened then... well, down in Who-ville they say,
The Spirit got hold of a Grinch heart that day.
The heart that was empty, and gloomy, and cold,
Became warm and alive, filled with promise untold.
And Jesus, who had been to the Grinch just a bother,
Became Savior and Master, Redeemer and Brother!
Easter is more than just trappings, all Who-ville agreed,
It’s a Savior who lives to meet every man’s needs.
They made their Who circle in the First Church that day,
And after their singing, they started to pray.
“Go under the mercy,” said one to his brother,
“God bless you and keep you,” said one to the other.
“He is Risen,” cried one in the midst of the blessed;
“He is Risen indeed,” said the Grinch with the rest.
It’s been passed down as fact, or so the Whos say,
That the singing was louder by threefold that day.
And the circle seemed fuller, more warm and more sweet,
Two green, hairy Grinch hands had made it complete.
