“What are you getting your children for Easter?”

I work part time at Target as a cashier. Many people Friday night were buying baskets, “basket stuffing” stuff, candy and clothes. Somehow this one lady and I got to talking. She told me about how someone asked her “so what are you getting your children for Easter?” She told me she was a bit surprised by the question. She expressed “when did people start giving gifts for Easter?” I told her the one explanation I knew of, and that was a friend who didn’t want to get her grand daughter more candy, but she was willing to get her a gift instead of candy. I’m not sure if that’s a step towards the slippery slope in which we start associating “receiving gifts” with Easter.

As a child growing up in a home that didn’t go to church on Easter, getting an Easter basket was about it for my Easter celebration. I knew about the religious meaning behind it, but the “what does it mean to me” didn’t really sink in til I started going to the Community of Christ for church.

I noticed during this past Holy Week those who bought some of the few religiously oriented dvds and books that Target sold. I thought “well at least they are trying to educate on what the real meaning of Easter is to their children or the children in their lives.”

How does one do this without going into the whole “blood, whips, and bruises” of the crucifixion? Resurrection to me is about transformation. Yes, it’s conquering the biggest enemy we all face, our physical death. Resurrection shows that not even death can conquer God’s eternal hope for His creation. Daily, Resurrection and it’s symbolism shows us that God is in control .. not in some puppet/master sort of way..but His desires for his creation will be victorious. Setbacks like an unfortunate death cannot conquer what God wishes for each of us.

What are you getting your children for Easter? please take time and teach them about how Resurrection can transform a life shattered by unfortunate life “missteps”. Whether you believe in a symbolic resurrection or the historical event…resurrection or a chance at a new life with God and knowing we aren’t alone is…..even better than a chocolate easter egg.