When you hear the word "Easter," what's the first thing that comes to your mind? Well for most, it's probably the Easter bunny, dyeing eggs, getting candy or maybe the one Sunday you actually go to church. But for me, it means a lot more. The meaning of Easter is so important and one that should never be overlooked. It should be a day of full out celebration because it's the day that celebrates the Risen King.
Easter is a celebration of Jesus. After he was nailed on a cross and died for our sins, he was resurrected after three days. The heart of Easter lies in the words of God, “the new covenant between God and his people" (Luke 22:20). The meaning of Easter shouldn't be kept quiet. It's the purpose of the church to tell everyone the amazing news of Christ's Resurrection. It's important for the church to celebrate the Living God.
But don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with all the other things that come with Easter. There's nothing wrong with taking pictures with the Easter bunny at the mall or even stuffing your face with chocolate eggs. Easter is a holiday of spending time with your family. I remember growing up and dyeing Easter eggs with all my siblings and cousins. It was some of the best memories of Easter. But after we were done with all the fun activities, we were always reminded the true meaning of this holiday.
Everyone has their own ideas about Easter, but this is mine. In a world full of hundreds of religions, religious holidays are always looked at differently. Easter is celebrated around the world.
In Mexico, Easter is celebrated within two different festivals. The holiday also lasts for two weeks. During the two weeks, many people visit their family and friends around the country. Many people in Mexico are Catholic so they will attend the special Easter Day Mass followed by a fun atmosphere in the town plaza filled with food stalls, toys and fair rides.
Greece celebrates Easter a little different. Their Easter service is held just before midnight. After the service, fireworks are lit to signal that Easter Day has begun. In the morning, a soup made of lambs stomach is sometimes eaten for breakfast (I don't think I could ever eat that for breakfast). Greece also has their own special Easter cake made with oranges and almonds with a spicy orange sauce poured over it.
As you can see, everyone celebrates Easter a little differently. Each country is unique and each religion is unique, but they all go back to celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. So this Easter, when you're dyeing eggs and spending time with your family, remember the sacrifice that was made so you could be blessed with the grace of God.
