Wednesday, March 06, 2019

More than Chocolate Bunnies and Decorated Eggs


Courtesy: godairyfree.org
 The six weeks or so leading up to Easter afford another boom time for the confectionary industry, following in the wake of Valentine’s, as chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies are on offer at every turn.

Egg decorating and springtime painting competitions engage kids, while backyard birdhouse installations invite birds returning from the south to enjoy nesting accommodations. Farm acreage and gardens begin to show evidence of preparation for planting.

Pic Credit: dreamstime.com
These all contribute to the celebration of nature’s spring awakening. It’s a marvellous time of year for young children to be awakened also, to the wonder of nature’s life-cycles. Unfortunately some city-bound children may not have as much opportunity for this as do those in small town and rural areas.

My appreciation for spring goes beyond those elements of spring, as much as I delight in them, for this period leading up to Easter provides me with opportunities to consider the wonders of my faith and to journey forward in mind and heart, by reflecting back on Jesus’ path to the cross in the concluding period of His earthly ministry.

And so, as I’ve mentioned from time-to-time in former years, my wife and I join weekly with people in our town from across the Christian community for a one half-hour lunchtime service each Wednesday during the pre-Easter period of Lent.

A different theme is adopted each year and the brief homily in each service is presented by the pastor of a congregation other than that of the host church for that particular week. Therefore, the venue changes and so does the speaker. This is followed by a simple but welcome lunch. We enjoy the inter-church fellowship immensely.

I engage privately in several other personal disciplines during that period. Perhaps this is all foreign to you, and maybe events like this aren’t convened in your community. Your local churches may, however, get together on Good Friday for a service to commemorate Jesus’ sufferings and death for humanity’s sins.                                           

But remember too, that Easter Sunday Morning is more than chocolate bunnies and decorated eggs. It is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, when the significance of it is brought front and centre.  
My pic: Will this place be filled with
praises on Easter Sunday morning?
There will surely be a company of worshiping people near your home, people who, especially on Easter Sunday, sing joyful songs or hymns of thanksgiving and praise in honour and gratitude for God’s love, mercy and grace.

My word – how far I’ve strayed from chocolate bunnies and decorated eggs! Not really, for I’m on track with millions who see in spring’s awakening an apt parallel to the lives of those who have awakened to the new life that God imparts once they embrace in faith that Jesus Christ died and rose for them.

~~+~~

Peter is a retired pastor  well, sort of retired – as he is currently engaged as an associate volunteer pastor. He lives in Southwestern Ontario with his wife, May, and writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column and occasional magazine articles. Peter is author of two books: "Parables from the Pond" (Word Alive Press) and "Raise Your Gaze . . . Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart" (Angel Hope Publishing). He and May are also engaged in leading nursing home / residential chapel services and music. ~+~


5 comments:

Susan Harris said...

Peter, I love the bunnies because I like rabbits and hares and we have a lot of them at our place. The eggs, not so much as they are akin to weight-gain, lol. The churches do come together for Lent in our community a concept which was new to me when I landed on the prairies. I guess any occasion to celebrate Jesus is welcome. However, I don't care for the joint Good Friday service because it is a watered down inter-denominational services which in my opinion does not hone in on the core foundation of Jesus's death which marks Christianity. I'd really like to get back to a good "ol-fashioned" Pentecostal church for Good Friday, Easter and Christmas and Pentecost Sunday. Nice post as always.

Peter Black said...

Thank, Susan. You have me smiling (again! lol), with your preference for the good "ol-fashioned" Pentecostal forms of those significant commemorative services.

Regarding the celebratory nature of many a Pentecostal Good Friday service, vis-a-vis the restraint with which some of our more formal denominational friends approach it - that is, the latter's approaching it with a thoughtful, meditative sense of quiet wonder at the love and cost of Christ's redeeming work in His sufferings and death for our redemption: I've participated in both - sometimes on the same day (such as attending a morning service of the one and the other in the evening). I've found value in both forms.
Thanks for putting the poker to the embers. :) ~~+~~

Carolyn R. Wilker said...

I'm used to the more sedate Lenten services, though with some modern music and different ways of celebrating. We used a newer call and response service written by a Lutheran pastor, Marty Haugen. It was meaningful and calm which is something we need after a busy day in our lives.
Thank you, Peter, for your calm and enlightening voice.

Carolyn

Susan Harris said...

Lucky you to have options of churches and different styles of worship, Peter. It’s restrictive here. Happy Easter.

Peter Black said...

Thank you Carolyn and Susan. I grin, because since your comments came in, I've landed with the responsibility of arranging a participative Good Friday morning service, following a fellowship breakfast. This particular congregation has a warm family feel but not an exuberant celebratory ethos. However, I've fulfilled this role twice previously with this group, and the service has worked out quite well.
I prayerfully wish for you and all of who engage in such services - whatever the corporate complexion and format - that, "the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O Lord our Rock, our Strength and Redeemer"!
A Happy and Blessed Easter / Resurrection celebration to All Y'all. ~~+~~

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