Easter and How the Holiday Has Changed
When I was young, the celebration of Easter meant coloring eggs, finding them and Easter baskets and a big family dinner. Sometimes, my siblings and I would get a new 'Easter' outfit and attend church. Other times, we didn't. There were no toys, gizmos or gadgets. Our baskets weren't overflowing with candy, but there was enough to share. Today, a lot of that has changed. Easter is beginning to look like a mini Christmas.
The other day, I was leafing through the store flyers that come in the Sunday newspaper. They all had toys, movies, Ipods and games on sale in time for the Easter Day celebration. Clothes, shoes, sandals; just about everything you could imagine. And my son, well he's almost to the point of handing me a wish list for Easter. This one special day of the year, when many religions honor the Lord, has become too commercialized.
I enjoy the traditions of coloring eggs and hiding them, of filling small baskets with some candy and then putting on my best dress to attend church. With winter leaving and spring arriving, this is a great time of year to reflect on the sacrifices made for all people and the blessings we have in our daily life. The hype, the spend, spend, spend and the mini Christmas Easter has become I can do without.
Call me old fashioned, call me a shrew but I really don't want my son to expect mega, expensive gifts on Easter. I want him to remember Easter for its spiritual value and pass this on to his children. Years from now, he won't remember which toy he got, or which piece of candy, but he will remember the time he spent with his family, the sitting down to a special meal and the reason this holiday is so special. He'll remember the values of generations past and be thankful for the blessings in his own life, as I am thankful for mine. Suffice it to say, he won't be getting an over abundance of toys and candy, but he will receive a day of love and celebration, as I did at his age.
To you and your family, I wish you a very Happy Easter. Count your blessings, especially those who come in small packages and call you Mom and Dad.
Juls
The other day, I was leafing through the store flyers that come in the Sunday newspaper. They all had toys, movies, Ipods and games on sale in time for the Easter Day celebration. Clothes, shoes, sandals; just about everything you could imagine. And my son, well he's almost to the point of handing me a wish list for Easter. This one special day of the year, when many religions honor the Lord, has become too commercialized.
I enjoy the traditions of coloring eggs and hiding them, of filling small baskets with some candy and then putting on my best dress to attend church. With winter leaving and spring arriving, this is a great time of year to reflect on the sacrifices made for all people and the blessings we have in our daily life. The hype, the spend, spend, spend and the mini Christmas Easter has become I can do without.
Call me old fashioned, call me a shrew but I really don't want my son to expect mega, expensive gifts on Easter. I want him to remember Easter for its spiritual value and pass this on to his children. Years from now, he won't remember which toy he got, or which piece of candy, but he will remember the time he spent with his family, the sitting down to a special meal and the reason this holiday is so special. He'll remember the values of generations past and be thankful for the blessings in his own life, as I am thankful for mine. Suffice it to say, he won't be getting an over abundance of toys and candy, but he will receive a day of love and celebration, as I did at his age.
To you and your family, I wish you a very Happy Easter. Count your blessings, especially those who come in small packages and call you Mom and Dad.
Juls
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