Beyond Baskets and Bunnies

Yes....I admit it. I have tragically fallen victim to the monster that is... commercialized holidays. As a sugar craving, candy addicted adolescent I especially loved Easter. I have fond memories of searching high and low for that elusive Easter basket. Although, now that I think about it, I'm not really sure my basket could be considered elusive since it was always in the bathtub. Nethertheless, once found, I would quickly toss aside the new 3 pack of underwear and scratchy white panty hose in search of those brightly colored plastic eggs that were sure to hold the key to my happiness for the next 2 days...CANDY!
(No need to reread that last part. You read it right the first time. My sister and I used to get underwear in our Easter baskets. Tragic isn't it? I mean what kid wants to get panties from a bunny?!) As a mom, I confess, that I have continued the nefarious cycle of commercialism with my own girls...although, I'm a little more creative when it comes to hiding baskets and I did ditch the whole underwear thing. Some family traditions are better left forgotten.

In all honesty, I don't think there's anything wrong with hiding Easter baskets and coloring eggs, but as a Christian mom, it is my responsibility to make sure that I go beyond the baskets and the chocolate bunnies and teach my children the REAL meaning of Easter.

MARK 16:1-8

[Mk 16:1] When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. [2] Very early on the first day of the week, they *came to the tomb when the sun had risen. [3] They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” [4] Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. [5] Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. [6] And he *said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here;

He has risen! He Has Risen! HE HAS RISEN!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest of all miracles ever performed. It is the very center of our Christian faith. Without the resurrection we are hopeless.“If there be no resurrection of the dead, … then is our preaching vain, … and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ. … If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:13–15, 17).

Because Jesus conquered the grave our sins our forgiven, our hope is renewed and our eternity is secured forever. So enjoy your Easter egg hunts and the big family dinners( I know I will)...but remember that the message of Easter is the message of a risen and reigning Lord through whom we may be reconciled to God!