Easter Pondering ...

You give but little

when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself

that you truly give.

Kahlil Gibran

There is much to think about at Easter ... the seriousness of the crucifixion and resurrection or the whimsical decorations with colored eggs, bunnies, and chocolate galore.  The list really could go on and on with additional items like Easter Lilies or hot crossed buns.  My children used to ask me how all of these random things fit together.  As a young mother, I found this all hard to explain.

In the Pagan traditions prior to Christianity, the egg was a symbol for fertility and the Goddess Mother Earth;  and the rabbit was an earthy symbol for the Goddess Eastre.   The first missionaries, eager to convert others to Christianity, combined some of the earlier pagan traditions with the resurrection of Christ.  More regulation and blending occurred at the Council of Nicaea.

Judgement and criticism need to be set aside in order to find meaning in both religious and family traditions.  During Easter, there is time for a deep spiritual connection and family bonding.  Some will be communing with the earth, celebrating as they plant their spring gardens while others are worshiping in a church.  Still others embrace all of these activities plus more.

I have colored more than my share of Easter eggs, and creatively hidden them as well.  I have filled plenty of baskets with chocolates and jelly beans.  I dutifully dressed my children for Easter services and have always revered Jesus the Christ. 

As I have grown away from traditional Easter holiday celebrations, my mind continues to linger on the subject of death and rebirth.  The crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ, to me, symbolizes the death and rebirth cycle that is on going throughout time in and with all things ... seasons, perennials, stages of development, spiritual transitions, and physical death itself. 

As we navigate through our lives, we learn to detach from possessions and focus more on giving rather than collecting.  As we begin to be generous in giving of our 'self' we truly begin to experience genuine non-materialistic gifts in return.  We learn to cast off what no longer serves us (death) and create opportunities to serve others (rebirth). 

There is always pain with the ending or death of anything or any one, but an awakening and joy usually follows.  It is a cycle one can experience in a day, a month, a year or life time.  The importance perhaps is to use Easter to deliberately reflect upon both our personal/physical and spiritual/emotional cycles of growth based upon the belief systems we hold dear.

When all is said and done, I wish you a very Happy Easter!