Easter and the Wascally Wabbit

Question: What is the connection between hiding eggs, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
One little boy gave this answer: Jesus’ Disciples really liked eggs, but Jesus had high cholesterol so they couldn’t eat them. When the Disciples thought He was dead and gone they decided to have eggs for breakfast. It just so happened this was the morning Jesus was raised from the dead, and appeared to His disciples. When Peter looked up and saw Jesus coming he said, “Quick fellas...hide the eggs.”

The truth is no one knows for sure the origins of Easter, but our best bet comes
from Bede, a late-seventh-century historian and scholar from Anglo-Saxon
England. He says Easter's name comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre,
associated with spring and fertility, and celebrated around the vernal equinox.
So there you go. As Christmas was moved to coincide with the pagan celebration
of winter, Easter was likely moved to coincide and replace the pagan celebration
of spring. (Christianity Today, “Why Easter?” by Ted Olsen, 4/10/98)

It’s interesting that Easter is observed by the churches of the West (that would be us) on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox. This means Easter is a "movable" feast which can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. However, Eastern Orthodox churches observe Easter according to the date of the Passover festival. That being the case, this year Passover begins at sundown on April 8th making Resurrection Sunday April 12th, which coincides with the week of Passover.

How about Easter Americana? Thank goodness Easter has not become as commercialized as Christmas. After all, angels singing and a bouncing baby boy are much more marketable than torturing and killing an innocent man.

However, many people, even Christians miss the point (not to mention the date). When Easter is elevated to the status of a ‘holy-day’ we diminish the importance of the other fifty-one Sunday’s throughout the year, forgetting the fact that every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you don't believe me, just check out how many people are at church on Easter Sunday as compared to the rest of the year.

aj

I Can't Get No Satisfaction

"...nothing at all to look at except this manna." Numbers 11:6

Can you envision an Israelite holding a hand full of manna; whatever manna must have looked like? In my mind it was a cross between mashed potato's and a croissant (or maybe I'm just hungry) - Anyway, I can almost hear the sneer in his voice as he says, "I have nothing at all to look at except this manna".

We think, "If I just had one bite of that heavenly bread, I'd probably never want to eat anything else again." Wrong. It is funny (or maybe sad) how the wonderful blessings of God which we freely enjoy soon become, stale, and tasteless.

• Owning a car that is three years old soon gives way to wanting next year's model.
• Living in a big house only whets our appetite for a bigger one.
• Getting a raise or promotion throws fuel on the consumer fanned flame.

My life is blessed , and I am resolved to not sniff at all God has given me, and say, "I have nothing at all to look at except this manna." Lord, please help me to be thankful and content with all you have blessed me with. Amen

Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

aj