Happy Easter

When I was a child, Easter was celebrated in such a lovely way. We wore brand new dresses, usually made by our Mom, with white hats and gloves, even new shoes to match. It was a special day, to commemorate the most important date in Christianity. After we hunted Easter eggs, we'd get ready for church, and listen to the story of Jesus. I cried, then and now, when I think of the great sacrifice He made for each of us, and express my gratitude for His mercy.

When our kids were young, I decided to separate Spring celebration from Easter. We would hunt Easter eggs on Saturday, and acknowledged that Spring was here, even if they ended up hunting eggs in the snow sometimes. The kids could eat their candy, and run and play, on Saturday. Sunday was about Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was so much easier for them to attend church and sit through the meetings, since they had had a whole day to enjoy the other part of Easter, but on Saturday instead of Sunday. It gave us the chance to create the Sacred day of Easter and really worship, express gratitude and joy at the Resurrection of Christ.

Today, it seems Easter is taking a backseat to other special days. Other than selling Easter candy and baskets, I guess businesses can't get much mileage out of Easter, so they are happier to push Halloween, and of course Christmas, they can make so much more money. School is rarely out on the Monday after Easter, and it's just another day of work, so it's much harder to gather the family together if they live far away. The birth of Jesus Christ is an important day, we all have a set day to celebrate together.

Easter is the culmination of His mission, his willingness to sacrifice his own life for our sakes, and then take it back again, as a resurrected being. I think it's the most important Christian holiday, and now it receives relatively little acknowledgement in the general population.
I hope we can remember the true reason for Easter, the literal death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and take time to honor Him, and our Father in Heaven, and be grateful for the great plan of salvation that allows us to recognize, repent and rejoice in the Gospel. Amen.