Is it just me or, as each year passes, does the recognition of Easter and Good Friday and the significance of the season of Lent become less important to many of us?
Most schools are closed, but that is more for spring break than it is to celebrate the holiday.
It is business as usual in most workplaces on Good Friday and I am told many employers frown on those who choose to take off to observe this holy day. It is a good thing Easter is on a Sunday.
It should be remembered that if it were not for the Crucifixion and the Resurrection there would be no reason to celebrate Christmas. It would just be the birth of another child.
When I have been in department stores, I see people filling up their shopping carts with bunnies, candy, toys, and Easter baskets and wonder if they spend the same amount of time at home explaining the importance of this holy day to their children.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Easter Bunny at this time of year and Santa Claus at Christmas are much more important to them than Jesus Christ. Who can we blame for that?
It seems we have been losing our way for a long time when it comes to our religious way of life.
Church attendance has been way down even before the pandemic, fewer children are receiving the sacraments and many are brought up in homes where there is no faith in God.
Does anyone remember the days when we all had Bibles in our homes, put on our Sunday Best to go to church each week, kids went to Sunday school and sang Christmas carols in public schools, were proud to say God bless America and say grace before dinner and, of course, to pray from time to time?
I sure do and can say without hesitation it has led to a richer fuller life for me and my family. I challenge anyone to tell me what possible harm it can do. During these polarizing times in our country, we need all the love and faith we can get.
Many of us set New Year’s resolutions to help us overcome some of our shortcomings and improve our lives. Why not set an Easter resolution? Observe religious traditions in the home focusing on love, tolerance and forgiveness. It will set a good example for our children and it won’t do us any harm either.
That will give them a moral compass on how to live their lives and make the world a better place to live with more love and less hate. It is never too late to discover the beauty of faith. The rewards will surprise you and can last a lifetime. Happy Easter.
Larry Whitlow lives in New Hope.
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