We did not get to enjoy a slow, meditative build-up to Easter this year, as has been our tradition in the past. Because we were traveling during the beginning of Holy Week, it was more of a scramble. But I'm glad that there were patterns laid down years previously that were easy to reinstate and gave us some measure of continuity and contemplation.
* We usually set up an Easter table decorated with things that remind us of the Holy week as well as symbols of rebirth. It was very plain this year because I didn't spend a lot of time collecting meaningful items. In the past, I have gathered budding tree branches, cut thorns from the rosebush, counted ten silver coins into a jar, and decorated eggs for the Easter table. But the most important part of the Easter table is the candle, which we had. It is a white, tapered candle that burns all day, symbolizing the light of the world, the light of Christ that shines on us. On Friday, we replace the white candle for a red one that burns all the way down to the bottom. We do not replace that candle until Sunday when we celebrate Easter by lighting a bran new white candle.
* On Thursday night, we had our Passover dinner. I made unleavened bread, which we ate with hummus, and cut the leaves off our celery for bitter herbs. We also had grape juice to drink, which the kids throught was the best thing ever. One year I would like to make lamb but this was not the year for that. During dinner, we brought our Easter candle to the table and talked about the Last Supper.
* Over the weekend, we got ready for Easter Sunday by dying Easter eggs and making our braided Easter bread.
* On Sunday morning, the Easter candle was lit again, there were eggs and yummy bread to eat, and everyone had new clothes to wear to church. (Thanks, Mom!) In their Easter baskets, Soren and Carl also got chocolate bunnies.
* After church and naptime, we had our neighborhood Easter egg hunt. When I was growing up, my parents always did the Easter egg hunt on Saturday, wanting to keep Sunday sacred. While I respect the choice they made, I have been an advocate for Sunday egg hunts in our neighborhood. I think that the Easter egg hunt is a tradition that is both fun and, in its own way, sacred. I have pondered both the eggs and the hunt as symbols related to the holiday and been blessed with ineffable insights. My experiences as an adult have led me to the conclusion that Easter egg hunts are compatible with the spirit of both Easter and the Sabbath. However, I don't think my kids think about it that much (at all?). That's ok. For them, I want the feeling of Easter to sink deep into their little hearts. And Easter is not a somber day! It is a day for rejoicing! Easter egg hunts help with that, too.
* For Easter dinner, we had a lovely ham and my mom's extra-special cheesy potatoes. To remember that Christ fulfilled the law of Moses! Hallelujah, we can eat pigs!
* We usually set up an Easter table decorated with things that remind us of the Holy week as well as symbols of rebirth. It was very plain this year because I didn't spend a lot of time collecting meaningful items. In the past, I have gathered budding tree branches, cut thorns from the rosebush, counted ten silver coins into a jar, and decorated eggs for the Easter table. But the most important part of the Easter table is the candle, which we had. It is a white, tapered candle that burns all day, symbolizing the light of the world, the light of Christ that shines on us. On Friday, we replace the white candle for a red one that burns all the way down to the bottom. We do not replace that candle until Sunday when we celebrate Easter by lighting a bran new white candle. * On Thursday night, we had our Passover dinner. I made unleavened bread, which we ate with hummus, and cut the leaves off our celery for bitter herbs. We also had grape juice to drink, which the kids throught was the best thing ever. One year I would like to make lamb but this was not the year for that. During dinner, we brought our Easter candle to the table and talked about the Last Supper. * Over the weekend, we got ready for Easter Sunday by dying Easter eggs and making our braided Easter bread.
* On Sunday morning, the Easter candle was lit again, there were eggs and yummy bread to eat, and everyone had new clothes to wear to church. (Thanks, Mom!) In their Easter baskets, Soren and Carl also got chocolate bunnies.
* After church and naptime, we had our neighborhood Easter egg hunt. When I was growing up, my parents always did the Easter egg hunt on Saturday, wanting to keep Sunday sacred. While I respect the choice they made, I have been an advocate for Sunday egg hunts in our neighborhood. I think that the Easter egg hunt is a tradition that is both fun and, in its own way, sacred. I have pondered both the eggs and the hunt as symbols related to the holiday and been blessed with ineffable insights. My experiences as an adult have led me to the conclusion that Easter egg hunts are compatible with the spirit of both Easter and the Sabbath. However, I don't think my kids think about it that much (at all?). That's ok. For them, I want the feeling of Easter to sink deep into their little hearts. And Easter is not a somber day! It is a day for rejoicing! Easter egg hunts help with that, too.* For Easter dinner, we had a lovely ham and my mom's extra-special cheesy potatoes. To remember that Christ fulfilled the law of Moses! Hallelujah, we can eat pigs!
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