Tuesday, May 3, 2011

New "traditions"

It has been difficult learning to celebrate Easter here in the U.S. All the traditions seem to be unconnected to the event and the "holiday" commercialized beyond recognition. It doesn't bother me at Christmas for some reason - all the emphasis on presents and decorations and candy. But it does at Easter! I'm not sure just how to celebrate Jesus' resurrection here in our family. I don't want the kids to miss out on fun traditions but I also don't want to spend more time on Easter baskets than on the Easter story. And I just don't know how to respond when asked what the Easter Bunny brought me! That scary thing at Karcher Mall?!? He better not even so much as look my direction!

My memories of Easter growing up are of sitting on a freezing limestone bench at a sunrise service at the Garden Tomb and... no actually that's it. That's really the only Easter memory I can recall. Not chocolate bunnies and egg hunts. Which are great and really fun, don't get me wrong. I'm no Easter Grinch, ok? I really wanted to dye eggs and do an Easter egg hunt with Annie this year, it would be so fun. But I'm just not there yet. (I did, however, snatch up a bunch of Easter candy and toys at 90% off last week at Walmart.)

And I did give the kids Easter presents at breakfast Sunday morning - books, candy necklaces and some other little gifts. Not exactly Easter baskets, but along the same lines and a very fun tradition that I plan to continue. Giving of gifts is always a worthwhile tradition in my opinion! And that's where the balance is for me in all the secular Easter hype - an Easter tradition is a good tradition when  it reflects the character and actions of God, the One who gave His son. We emphasize that at Christmas, but how much more should we meditate on it at Easter when the full weight of that gift is realized. God gave us JESUS!

AND HE IS RISEN!

And because of that, we can (and did!) enjoy all of this:

Not sure what to enjoy first
Riley doesn't have the same hang-ups - candy first!


Sunday dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Becks!

An egg hunt with no competition! Perfect!

Time with Grandma and Grandpa Codr

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2 comments:

  1. Pastor Randy CookMay 4, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Sorry for warping you on Easter celebrations. But, chocolate bunnies laying eggs??? Really?!
    The Easter Grinch

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  2. SerenaMay 4, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    HA! HA! HA! The Karcher Mall bunny - that is one CREEPY looking costume.

    My only Easter memories are at the Garden Tomb as well...oh! and those itchy, matching purple dresses and white hats when we were kids. Remember?!

    We have been wrestling with Easter traditions the last couple of years. I am determined to start some good traditions next year. Easter lunch at Kentucky Fried with "The (self-proclaimed) Easter Grinch" and his lovely wife was fun - but not exactly how I want to celebrate this special day every year. I think we'll go the route of new dresses, sunrise service and family lunch. We bought the Jesus movie this year and watched it together as a family on Saturday evening. That was the beginning of a good tradition too!

    Thanks for your thoughts.

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