A few years back I
tried to buy some mini eggs on Easter Sunday but was told by the shop
keeper that 'Easter is over', as if I was some sad hanger on still
singing Jingle Bells in January. This particularly drives me a bit
crazy with Easter because the run up to Easter has, of course, been
Lent. As soon as the moment of celebration and indulgence arrives on
Easter Sunday it is pronounced over. How unfair is that? Not least
because of the mini egg sitch!
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| Where have all the Mini Eggs gone?! |
Weirdly enough church
sort of does that too and I've never really gotten that. We spent
forty days, quite rightly, thinking about the journey of Lent and
reflecting on some of the tougher points of life as we follow the
story of Jesus on his way to the cross. This is all incredibly
meaningful and has allowed me to bring all my fears and worries and
pains directly to God and without fail receive comfort.
But the story
doesn't end there and the overwhelming story of Christianity is one
of hope. Jesus doesn't stay locked in the tomb and we don't have to
stay locked in our darkness. There is light, there is life, there is
joy, there is hope, there is beauty - and celebrating Easter is all
about that.
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| A pic I took a while back - Let the Light In! |
The Easter season
actually lasts for forty day but it rarely seems to be marked that
much. I get so excited about it and find it such a refreshing time
that I wander round with a spring in my step and a big old grin on my
face. I think people probably think I'm a bit odd (not least because
of the grin!) wandering round in this thoroughly festive mood when
everyone else has gotten over it already.
I once read a book by a
Bishop who suggested we ought to pop the champagne and have a glass a
day throughout this season, it should be such a joyous time. As much
as I'd love that my bank balance, nor current condition, don't really
lend themselves to that just now. But I have been using this time as
space to deliberately enjoy and focus on all the wonderful things of
life and to reflect on the meaning of Easter in my own life right
now.
And for me Easter
really is about that, about life. The story of the resurrection is
about the unwavering, unstoppable, unquenchable power of life. And
being a person of faith is about seizing that life, loving it,
upholding it in all that you do.
I have been reading a
set of reflection each morning in this season by Paula Gooder called
The Risen Existence – The Spirit of Easter and one that
really struck me early on was one in which the question was asked
'How can I bring life in this situation?' That strikes me as the true
spirit of Easter and a great way to joy and freedom and life to the
full. Seeking life, loving life, growing life wherever we can. This
has prompted me to do things that I wouldn't have otherwise like twin
my pregnancy with a woman in Malawi with Chasing Zero and take long
walks in the park in the sunshine.
So even though the rest
of the world might think it is over I still say Happy Easter! And may
the season bring life abundant to you.
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