Easter memories
1 Apr 2010
I remember getting dressed up really early for church on Easter Sunday in order to make it to the Easter sunrise service which then would be followed by a breakfast that rivaled the best that the local restaurants had to offer. The day would get only better and better with a service full of special songs in a church overrun by beautiful white Easter lilies! The festivities would then continue with more food, fun, friends, and family.
So what made Easter such a time of joy and celebration? It wasn’t until I was older that I began to understand the answer to this question. I realized that it was all of the preparation before hand that caused there to be such an anticipation and joy on this occasion. As I learned more about my faith, the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, the journey that He was willing to undertake so that I could have freedom to live this life free from feelings such as worthlessness, loneliness, guilt and fear, I knew so clearly in my heart that Easter represented my new life of hope!
I know that this Easter, millions of children around this world will not have the privilege of eating chocolate (fair trade of course!) or getting new clothes or even getting the opportunity to go to a beautiful building to celebrate this special day. But I do know that the Christ who rose again to give us new life is awakening us daily to the need around us. When I do my part to be diligent in the outworking of change in my church or community, I can be a carrier of this living hope to those around me. Not only am I grateful for this most amazing day of freedom, I know that by this time next year, many more children will come to know Easter in a way that I had the privilege of experiencing.
Comments
Re: Easter memories
Thanks for writing this- It brings such joy and hope :) What a loving Father we serve!
1 Apr 2010 by Minjoo Kwak // United States
Re: Easter memories
Yes, never underestimate what every little thing can do.... Even if it's just giving choclate to your nice or housemates! We serving a loving father, that loves giving us little things a little whenever:-)
2 Apr 2010 by Lizette Jonsson // Sweden
Re: Easter memories
Yes, never underestimate what every little thing can do.... Even if it's just giving choclate to your nice or housemates! We serving a loving father, that loves giving us little things a little whenever:-)
2 Apr 2010 by Lizette Jonsson // Sweden
Re: Easter memories
In your own words:"Easter represented my new life of hope!" Thank you Jesus. because of YOU sweet Lord we ALL have a new life of hope to be shared with others. I heart that.xx
2 Apr 2010 by Greice Moura
Re: Easter memories
Thank you for writting about the family time and the celebrations with the body as a whole. In spite of it being a celebrattion, Easter is a bit different for me this year. A couple of months ago I had to watch ALL of the scenes of Passion of the Christ - I never could, especially the beating ect. Then I also do Ancient studies, so we also had to look at proof of crucifixion from a medical point of view on 1st centaury people and there are some more brutal details that only scholars know about - and It has really and finally hit home....WHAT A LOVING FATHER GOD WE HAVE!!!. JESUS KNEW BEFORE HAND AND HE WILLINGLY DID IT FOR MILLIONS that are strangers to us, but not to HIm, AND IT WAS ALL THAT COULD EVER RECONCILE US TO THE FATHER. Therefore there is NO GREATER LOVE than this and NO SECRET SIN that can keep us captive, because God the judge looks at the atonement and loves us.
This is also the theme of the iheart film and thank you all at Hillsongs for posting the trailers, videos and talking about God's love and our role as the bride on youtube ect, I know for sure it has changed so many's perspective and even though this is your calling - for the rest of us it is time of divine appointment with repentence and change of heart about things that cause the Holy Spirit to depart from our worship - not having his heart for the lost
Blessings
Nea
3 Apr 2010 by Natacha Elizabeth-anne Wolmarans // South Africa
Re: Easter memories
Wow thanks Nea! The Passion of the Christ at Easter time does deliver the message of Easter in an effective way. I know how hard it was for me to watch the movie the first time. I couldn't see much of the movie clearly since I was crying my eyes out with about 3/4 of the audience. It's so good to be reminded of His sacrifice...a sacrifice that compels us to obedience. God bless!
8 Apr 2010 by shonela jalaluddin // Australia
