Beech Tree News Network

Easter is almost here. This Christian holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion. My family, like many others, has always considered it a time for thanksgiving, attending church service and family gatherings.

Some Easter customs are observed by Christians and many non-Christians. Over time, Easter celebrations have changed, and opinions about how to celebrate the religious holiday vary. Many people have commented on Easter or about their beliefs regarding this occasion, and four of those comments are below (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_easter.html):
•    God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you.' -Billy Graham
•    A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act. -Mahatma Gandhi
•    Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song. -Pope John Paul II
•    Easter is very important to me, it's a second chance. -Reba McEntire

Since Easter includes a variety of customs, I asked friends and family how they plan to spend Easter. Their responses were:
•    Go to church with kids to watch a special program. Be thankful that Christ came, died and rose from the grave so that sinners like me can be forgiven and have hope for the future.
•    We will start the morning off with sunrise service, breakfast at church, then regular services. Going to Mom’s for lunch and then having our annual egg hunt where we hide hundreds of eggs for only a few grandkids. Love it!
•    Eat, be lazy, and go to church.
•    Hope to have my family for lunch.
•    Worship and family time.
•    Try to NOT work all four days of a four-day weekend.
•    Try to keep my husband from working on his four days off!
•    Easter egg hunt with the kiddos Easter morning. Then on to church with grandmother, followed by our yearly get together with the family at my aunt’s.
•    The plan I have is for Good Friday. Owensboro Christian Church has a Tenebrae service. It is very moving and powerful. There are no words, only music, and it takes you from the darkness of the world into the light of the Word, showing an empty cross.
•    Working….Someone has to do it.
•    Going to church, and that Sunday, my daughter will be part of a special program. And, then, go to Mama’s for Sunday dinner and our annual egg hunt! We will decorate a few eggs with the kids and then hunt hundreds of plastic-filled eggs in the back yard. So fun!
•    Normally, I go to sunrise service then breakfast (if I stay for that), then Sunday School and preaching. Then we eat (We used to eat at my mother-in-law’s with family – now, it’s just us and sometimes Mom.). We’ve made reservations at Shady Cliff before and I’ve cooked before; I’m not sure this year – no plans yet.
•    Egg hunt and family time! Church, of course! 
•    My most significant Easter plan is to lead sunrise service Easter morning. I inherited (from my mom) this tradition of cooking over an open fire and worshiping our risen Savior through scripture and song.

Our Easter traditions have changed (The twelve apostles might not associate egg hunting and the Easter bunny with Easter.), but we’re still worshiping the same Christ. Thankfully, “…He is risen!” (Mark 16:6 NIV) And, I am humbly thankful.