Growing up in a “churched community” in southern Indiana afforded many great cultural memories. Our church always did some kind of Easter “event.” Some years, we would do a “30 Pieces of Silver Campaign” to raise funds for the building or a family in need. Other years, we would do an “Easter Cantata.” I asked Gail (Brigada co-editor) if her church had ever done a cantata, and, sadly, she looked back with a confused look. She wondered if “cantata” was a Spanish word. hahahaha (So sorry. I guess not all southern Indiana churches practiced the same cultural behaviors.) We looked it up and, it turns out, the word does come from Italian, “sung.” (To her credit, Spanish has a similar participle. haha) It prompted me to wonder what might your memories be? Did your church ever do a “passion play?” Did you ever travel to a passion play in Europe? There’s that one in Germany, right? Oberammergau, right? Did your family ever do “Easter baskets?” (Fortunately, Gail had heard of those. : ) ) Were there ever Easter flowers (those yellow ones!) popping up in the place where you grew up? At Gail’s school, growing up, the administration would place a cross at the flagpole on their campus. They’d cover it with “chicken fence” wire around it and the students would all bring flowers to decorate it, kind of like a float in a parade. Great memories.
What about you? What memories do you have of Easter?
I worry that we’ll lose some of these traditions, honestly. Culturally, people are so funny these days. We somehow think it won’t be politically correct to remember things like Easter. Sadness.
Whatever the case, maybe the very BEST practice at Easter came from our family’s time living in Ukraine back in the early 90s. When we’d meet another family on the way to church on Sunday morning, we’d say, “He is risen!” The other family would answer, in a chorus, “He is risen indeed.” That’s a GREAT practice. Of course, this year’s Easter in Ukraine will be different. But mark my words: Ukrainian believers will still find a way to celebrate Easter. They’re intrepid. It’s really kind of amazing. They never forget their history – but they always keep marching forward. Hats off to them. This Easter, would you please step up your prayers for them — and for peace in Ukraine?
Of all Christian practices, remembering Easter is possibly the most amazing part of the entire story – because, for all of us, Easter is the story of promise. It’s the story of redemption. This Easter, why not share the entire Easter story with someone you know. Make it a new cultural practice to let your family and everyone you meet know the Good news, “He is risen. He is risen indeed.”
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