Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter to those who celebrate!

"Happy Easter to those who celebrate!"

I received this group message this morning from a friend who doesn't celebrate Easter, but I'd never really thought much about the fact that she doesn't celebrate, nor why not. Her faith does not celebrate Easter - they have other Holy Days.

At first I mentally included myself in the list of Easter celebrants, but then I realized that I don't really celebrate in the true sense either.

Sure, I grew up with chocolate eggs and bunny lore. My ancestors were active Christians; my parents non-practising Christians; my brother and I christened, but with no follow-up. There should be a name for those of us who blindly follow the fun part of these holidays (Holy Days, originally) without any knowledge of or regard for the original meaning. Shallowists? Frostings?

Don't get me wrong - I love the Bunny, I love Santa, I love gifts and candy and I love watching small children, in particular, enjoy these days. I look forward to spending these days with future grandchildren, when I will shower them with too much candy, too many presents. I will colour eggs and I will light candles and I will be there to see their excitement on these "special" mornings.

But I do appreciate that this day is, to many people, profoundly meaningful. Spiritually joyful. There's a reason for the eggs. So to you, especially, I wish a very Happy Easter.
(For the rest of us posers....Enjoy your chocolate, your dinner and your family.)
Kathryn : )








2 comments:

Sherry said...

Happy Easter to you and yours, too, Kathryn. I think that the majority of us are in a similar situation when it comes to how we celebrate the religious holidays. We all seem to have some background of 'church going' ancestors - either parents, grandparents, etc - but not many of us actually participate at that level. It is still nice to have the special time with family and friends, spent celebrating in whatever way becomes the new 'tradition'

Jacqueline Korteland Boller said...

I don't celebrate it either in the religious sense, but it's a great excuse to get together with family and friends, and I do think that's what it's all about too.

Now the chocolate is a bonus!!:)