Preparing for Easter

 

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead,  

~Matthew 28:5-7

Easter 1960- Grandma and Mama sewed our Easter outfits. Mama purchased hats and gloves for herself and me. Everything is ironed and laid out for Sunday morning. Only the Easter baskets are left to prepare. 

Mama brought out the vinegar and dye tablets, a coffee cup for each tablet, a spoon, and an old towel. Leftover baskets with fresh plastic grass were placed on the table beside the towel. The Easter bunny didn't leave our baskets. We helped dye the eggs in stinky-colored vinegar. Excitedly we balanced the hardboiled eggs on our spoons and dipped them in the cups. The dye kit contained a wax pencil to draw designs before we dyed the eggs. Gently we lifted the eggs from the cups and placed them on the towel to dry. Then we decorated our baskets with eggs and candy wrapped in colored foils. But never were we told anything about how eggs were related to Easter. 

Easter 1983-  My small children and I often visited my grandma, who was nearing 90. A discussion came up about dying eggs with my babies. Somehow we worked around to the subject of what eggs have to do with Easter. I had no idea and she was shocked. 

"Why, the shell represents the tomb!" surprised no one had taught me that. "There's unseen life inside an egg. When it's ready the chick will burst forth like the resurrection." 

Well, that made perfect sense. Why hadn't I even thought of that? Of course, our hard-boiled eggs had no life left in them but a fresh egg certainly could, especially the farm eggs Grandma was used to gathering. 

There are several ideas as to the origins of colored eggs and spring celebrations. We too can derive some meaning for today's children. So what can we say about Easter eggs? 

• Fresh eggs encapsulate life with the appearance of death just as the tomb in death held the answer to eternal life in Jesus.
• Eggs need 3 weeks to hatch. Jesus lay 3 days in the grave before his resurrection.
• The hatchling uses his beak to crack the shell and come out. Jesus used his voice to call Lazarus from the tomb.  A great earthquake and angels announced Jesus's resurrection.  One day His voice will call us from the grave as well.  
• Easter eggs are dyed or painted in a variety of colors. Jesus died for everyone of every color. 
• We hunt for eggs hidden all around. Jesus goes wherever people are found to bring salvation to any who will believe on Him.
• We gather the eggs in a basket. Jesus will gather us one day and take us to our heavenly home. Until then we gather in our churches to worship the One who has overcome death and the grave.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ~Romans 10:9

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for my sins. Thank you for sending reminders all around me that you are the giver of life eternal through Jesus.  Help me remember to tell the children that You are the Creator God and that everything and everyone is created with a purpose. May my heart and life be filled with worship this Easter season.  In Jesus's name, I pray. Amen.