EASTER
The religious aspects don’t really matter. It isn’t so much about resurrection as it is candy, chocolate and quality time with the family. In a way, His birthday and he re-birthday are one and the same for those who are not disciples, followers, or believers.
The huge turkey dinners are the same, opulent feasts that stretch the limits of the waistline. The candy and treats, while packaged differently, also share similar aspects – chocolate and sweets abound.
On His birthday, a jolly old elf travels the world at an impossible rate of speed and spreads joy to all the good little girls and boys. Stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and in the morning they flow over with gifts and surprises. Massive trees are erected and decorated and on that magical morning, the lower boughs barely conceal the bounty of gifts waiting to be unwrapped.
On his re-birthday, a strange rabbit spreads equal joys for all, hiding candy and treats to be hunted by all. Pastel-coloured baskets overflow with a bounty of sweets bringing happiness and the thrill of discovery to all. Where might the candies be hidden? What secret corners might reveal the greatest troves of treasure?
While the routines are similar, and the purveyors of treats equally enigmatic and legendary, the results are the same: a pair of days met with equal amounts of giddy anticipation.
And perhaps that is where the religion comes in. Those three wise men must have felt great excitement as they traveled towards the celestial beacon that shone down upon their saviour-to-be. The resurrection, although less dramatically portended, no less impressive.
For those non-believers though, the really blessing of these days is that they provide an excuse to step outside of the normal routine of work and distraction to make quieter time for family and friends. It is this repurposing of priorities that makes these days special.
That and the candy.
No comments:
Post a Comment