When I was a youngun, growing up on Hurricane Creek we didn’t have a lot of anything. My mom made most of our clothes. Sometimes she ordered something from Sears. By the time we were older and in high school, there was a store or two in town that carried jeans and things. (When we were in high school, wearing jeans was a sometimes-thing not an everyday thing.) So she would buy us a pair in the fall when school started. That was usually the time for new shoes too, and whatever else we had outgrown during the year. Spring was the time for a new “church dress”. Mom always made or bought us new dresses for Easter. Our church didn’t do special services or anything like that, but all the girls wore new dresses. For me, it signaled the real arrival of spring, and the new dress was a boost to my sparse wardrobe. We got a few school clothes in the fall, and a new dress at Easter. (We did NOT get new clothes or anything else throughout the year.) We looked forward to the new dresses, and being “all fixed up” for Easter Sunday. We were usually invited to someone’s house for Sunday dinner, and then an egg hunt in the afternoon. It was an exciting time.
I know that most of the ‘religious world’ celebrates Easter in their worship – my coworkers and others ask me if we are having a special service for Easter. So I will mention briefly, that we do not. Yes, we know that Jesus was crucified and arose on Sunday and that is the occasion for Easter services and sunrise services. But we remember the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus every Sunday, as we participate in communion. We don’t mark any Sunday above another, as all of them are of equal importance.
So we (in our own families) celebrate Easter as a spring holiday with our children – an occasion for a new spring outfit – a colored egg hunt for the small children – treats for all ages. Naturally, we attend worship and are thankful to God for His blessings and Jesus’ sacrifice.
*Vickie*
