On this beautiful Easter Sunday, I’m certain people across the globe have found multiple ways to enjoy the sunshine, hang out with family, add a calorie or 1500 and, most important, observe once more the blessing that Easter truly brings. I’ve heard of plenty of traditions… mouth watering hams adorn 1000s of tables, “He Arose,” and “Because He Lives” are sung by masses, bright new dresses and ties bring on the compliments – and that doesn’t even lead us to the afternoon! Most families have eggs to hunt, games to play, candy to eat/give/steal/etc., and on a day like today, they had beautiful weather to smile about! How did I spend my fantastic Easter afternoon, you may ask? That answer is easy enough… I’ve been NAPPING!
Don’t think me lazy until you hear the whole story –I wholeheartedly trust that my few hours of afternoon slumber were fully justified, considering my Easter Sunday began at 4:30 AM. For every year that I can remember, my home Church has traditionally celebrated Easter via sunrise service. At 6:00 AM, you might be shocked at the ALWAYS bountiful (and quite dapper) crowd that assembles, dressed to the nines, most wide-awake, expectant of special singing (my Mom and I dropped the ball this year…), looking forward to an old message preached with new fervor, prepared to stick around for Sunday School (attendance is never so high as on Easter!) and ready to wrap up the morning with a phenomenal breakfast prepared by several Church men (who I secretly think pitch in on cooking so they don’t have to dress up, but we’ll take it!) By nine AM, I’ve typically had quite a full-day’s list of events.
Normally, I’d head home after breakfast, stop in to see my grandparents before they head out to 10:00 AM service, and shortly thereafter find my face back on a pillow. Not today. I often joke that I have graduated to certain “abilities,” and today one of those abilities was “cook Easter dinner.” J Lucky for me, my best friend has a killer Chicken Tetrazzini recipe that I am almost in love with. Unlucky for me, it’s an INVOLVED process. Dice this, chop that, mince something (do what?) and then sauté, thicken and pray for the best. After some helping text advice from the VBFF in NY, and some quick thinking from my Mom, I have to say my first attempt at this one didn’t turn out half bad. At least, my critics (err… family) seemed to like it. Victory accomplished, dishes had to be washed and put away, and by the time this was finished, I could barely see straight. Five minutes on the couch was all I needed, and the next thing I new… it was 4:45, and soon I’d be heading back to evening Church services! Talk about tired!
Alas, as our pastor pointed out this morning, some folks my gripe about the annual tradition of getting up early and coming to Church. It’s not always pleasant for us to function fully on less sleep, less coffee, less breakfast, less time to get ready, etc. There is simply no other way to say it, but “We’re tired.” But despite the early hour, the preparation, the yawns and stretches required to stay awake during the sermon… we can never compare to how TIRED Jesus was when He gave the ultimate sacrifice for us.
What a blessing to know that, even after being mentally and physically drained all night long – taking beating after beating, being spat on, discounted, considered a common criminal, knowing his friends and loved ones were in the crowd but could not help Him – He was still willing to hang on a cross, bear the weight of every wrong-doing you, I and the multidude of others around the world have ever committed, and die the worst death anyone has ever known. Thankfully though, because He rose again, overcoming death, our debt is paid in full! We no longer have to bring sacrifices before God. We don’t have to do works to pay penance. We’re covered; all we must do is accept, believe and commit to Christ! I don’t know about you, but that’s worth getting up early for, and suddenly I’m not so tired anymore!!!
As I type from my front porch rocking chair, checking out the beautiful afternoon we’ve been given, watching cars (and numerous horse & buggies) pass by en route to or from Easter festivities, I realize that we all celebrate differently. For every person God put on Earth, there is likely a different favored tradition or preference for how to spend Easter Sunday. Each, in their own right, is wonderful. Most important is that we all share the common knowledge that Easter is special and we can enjoy this day because of a long-ago sacrifice that has an ever-lasting impact.
Can’t wait to see where I’ll spend Easter next year!
Be Blessed,
