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| 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.
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| 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.
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My pic: Will this place be filled with
praises on Easter Sunday morning?
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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.
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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. ~+~
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