random musings: Alleluia!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Alleluia!

Jesus walked the earth for forty days after His Resurrection. The celebration continues.....

Have I ever mentioned that Easter is my favorite holiday? First of all, it is the highest Holy Day, for we celebrate what no man has done before or since. We celebrate that the promises Christ made are true, for the proof is in His Resurrection. We celebrate our own victory of death through Christ.
But would it be cool to mention that I also love Easter best because it is not as caught up in commercialism as other holidays? OK, sure, there is the bunny and candy and stuff for kids. I actually think that is kind of appropriate, because kids need to celebrate, too, and candy is something that puts kids in a celebratory mood. But what you don't have is the pressure to wrap this for Auntie Grace, pick out the perfect gift for Uncle Arthur, decorate the house inside and out in a manner to make Martha Stewart jealous. It is our Highest Holy Day, and yet, compared to Christmas, Easter is so laid back. Do I have Easter decorations? YOU BETCHA! Did I give my husband and mom an Easter Card? YOU KNOW IT! Did I cook ham, eggs, Polish sausage, sauer kraut, three different cakes, pierogis, etc....You all know me. Of course I did. But there wasn't this overall pressure to do it. If something didn't get done, I didn't ruin Easter.
Maybe it is different for those of you with kids who have to worry about Easter baskets and egg hunts. I don't know. What do you say? Is Easter less, more, or the same amount of pressure as Christmas. Please vote and let me know, and leave a comment if you would be so kind.

8 comments:

Sherri Murphy said...: I had some pressure, in that I had to practice music with two other ladies and then sing in a Sat. night service and and Sun. Morning service, and teach Sunday school Easter morning and before I left,(COOKING EARLY IN THE A.M.) had to get my food ready to be served later when I hosted about 30 people for dinner. (Big Al was kind enough to help me clean the house before AND after.)

HOWEVER, It is still a very HOLY time for me. The story of the crucifixation and His resurrection NEVER grows old or stale with me. I am still moved to tears.; April 13, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Stephanie Wetzel said...: After my post today, my vote might surprise you:

Less pressure. I agree on the gift-giving-to-random-relatives and decorating like crazy for Christmas. For Easter, we put out a handful of pretty things. And since I don't do the cooking, I spend most of the day socializing. YES, it did take me over an hour to clean up the kitchen. But Charlie's food is worth it.

And after repeated years of losing rather than hiding my kids' eggs, I've stopped putting any pressure on myself. My kids know not to hate the playah, but the game. Now that I think of it, there might be a reason why Bob the Dog hovers over the egg hunt like a patient vulture, tho.; April 13, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Wendy said...: I voted "other". Why? Just to be difficult. See what happens when I vote before I'm ready to be awake? I shoulda had my coffee first... Okay, truth be told, it was a stress-free day for me. I usually make the Easter dinner for my family (I make a mean ham), but no one wanted me to cook because it was my birthday. So we had lunch at my mom's house and I had cereal for dinner. Yup, the dinner of champions.; April 13, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Beth said...: I love your take on Easter, Helen!!
Probably because I love Easter for many of the same reasons. We used to travel to see family on Easter, but that was before we had more responsibilities at church. Ironically, more responsibility there means we stick around home and it's more laid back. I miss being with my family, but I sure do like cooking a yummy lunch and just hanging out like we did this year. And yes, I just admitted to liking to cook! Probably because I'm finally getting better at it.; April 13, 2009 at 11:28 AM
katdish said...: Bernadette's Alleluia and My Sharona played at the same time? Weird, but strangly compelling. Not nearly so much pressure. We don't do the Easter bunny thing. Mostly because the thought of a giant rabbit sneaking around the house in the cover of darkness is kinda scary to me. I was too busy making signs for our launch to get stressed out about baskets and whatnot. My kids got a couple of chocolate bunnies and Rachel got a stuffed bunny that she requested as soon as CVS put them on the shelves (in February). And then of course, there was the gumball laying chicken...; April 13, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Billy Coffey said...: I love the magic and warmth of Christmas, but I love the hope and joy of Easter.

Much less stress for me, too. And with the trees and mountains finally coming alive, it's a lot prettier, too.; April 14, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Mary Ann said...: Helen I am so with you! I love that it you don't have to have a lot of money to celebrate Easter "well." I love that it's not AS much about all the commercialism as it is the actual aspect that Christ rose. It is such a special holiday and thanks for the reminder of his 40 days after...; April 15, 2009 at 6:56 AM
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