Find Jesus and Easter Hope in Hard Times

Let’s face it, these are tough times. During these times we need to remember that we are called to be a sign of the resurrected Christ to the world. Diocesan religious education director Rosie Bartel takes a moment to consider how we can find hope even in hard times. Easter is a time to find hope in the glorious resurrection of Christ. You can find this hope in the midst of bunnies, eggs, jellybeans and Easter baskets.

The key to using these “secular” Easter traditions to understand the hope of Easter is that these traditions are meaningful ways to celebrate the good news that Jesus rose from the dead. These simple traditions can be used to help families understand the hope that Easter brings to all of us.

The Easter Bunny: The Pennsylvania Dutch started the tradition of the Oschter Haws or Easter Hare, who brought colored eggs to children on Easter morning. The bunny was a symbol of celebration and new life in Christ.

Colored Eggs: Eggs were a pagan symbol of spring. Christians adopted the egg as a symbol of the new life of the Resurrection. During the Middle Ages, dying eggs became popular. Coloring eggs is a great family activity. This year would be a good time to add symbols to our colored eggs that represent the love of God. You can add symbols like a cross or heart with a crayon before you dip it in the dye.

Jellybeans: These popular egg-shaped candies were invented in the 1800s, but they did not become part of the Easter tradition until the 1930s. This was another tough time in the history of our country. Because of their shape, they are considered a symbol of new life and spiritual rebirth. It might be fun to have a jellybean tasting contest with your family.

Easter Basket: This tradition began in Eastern Europe. People would bring the food they would be eating on Easter Sunday to the church on the morning of Holy Saturday for a special blessing. This tradition is practiced in many of our parishes today.

Spring Cleaning: In some cultures, the families give their homes an extra special cleaning on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week. This tradition comes from the Jewish custom of ritual cleaning before Passover. This might be the year to try this tradition. It can be fun to do this cleaning of your home as a family. Then you can celebrate Easter without worrying about cleaning chores.

Easter Lilies: Using white lilies in our churches and homes during the Easter season came into practice during the 1800s. The white flower is a symbol of purity. The trumpet shape of the lily heralds the triumph of Jesus over death. Lilies are inexpensive at this time of the year. It is a great symbol to share with your children. You might decorate the pot with ribbon and the words, “Jesus Lives!” or “Happy Easter!”

Easter Candle: The candle represents the light of Christ, which has overcome darkness. You might want to get a white pillar candle and decorate it with stickers, markers and push pins. It will be your family’s Easter candle. Every time you have a family meal during the Easter season, you would light your Easter candle. This will remind your family of the hope that Easter offers all of us.

It is not too late to bring these Easter traditions and symbols back to life and to celebrate the hope of Christ’s resurrection.