Jesus and the Easter Bunny

Easter as a holiday can be quite the event at our house. Because we engage in the tradition of donning new clothes, white shoes, dress pants and ties, along with the occasional hat, the going to church thing on Easter Sunday is a big deal. The getting of new clothes is not an unusual thing, but the number of people getting new clothes for Easter is the monumental thing. I, of course, make this a greater issues trying to get everyone to match to a color theme. I have even gone as far as a design theme. Sometimes I have taken this to greater heights of stress by making the dresses, vests,pants, skirts, etc. to match with my own hands. (Another contribution to my last post on sleeplessness.)

We are faithful in our beliefs and teachings to the children about the story of Jesus Christ and his life. We teach the beginning of his life at Christmas celebrating his humble arrival and beginnings. We follow the rest of his life through seasons of preaching and gathering of his disciples and believers. We enter Lent to acknowledge and contemplate the end of his life. The weeks before Easter are times of fasting of meat, the giving up of treasures and pleasures for Lent, and the awareness of what we must reconcile to God to grow closer to Him.

Easter week also has become for our household a grave and somber time of reflection. We attend church more frequently and discuss the life of Christ during that time frame before his crucifixion. There is much discussion of the Last Supper and the washing of feet. How Christ humbled himself to his disciples and showed his servant heart. We include all the children in the conversation, young to old. The younger children are the most interested in the stories as they are new. Even the youngest, Aidan is captive to the unfolding story.

We also plan for the meal of Easter Sunday and the coloring of Easter eggs. The meal planning and egg coloring are tradition. Although this is somewhat time consuming with the number of children awaiting their turn to color eggs. We begin the ritual by boiling 2 or more dozen eggs. The boiling potatoes and eggs symbolize the start of the Easter weekend to the kids.

Soon they are gathering newspaper, and crowding around the table in the kitchen. Each one reaching for the dipping sticks or package of coloring pellets. Each one planning stickers, colors and designs for their assigned number of eggs. They get louder and louder as the coloring solutions are created by the fizzing pills. The older children trying to trick the younger ones by changing the color pellets in the bowls before their eyes.

We would not be coloring eggs without the sound of a dropped egg, landing solidly on the table. Shouts of "I'll eat it!" can be heard as they all thrust their hands to grab the broken egg from the spot it landed. Pushing and fussing begins as they see each egg being placed in the coloring bowls.

There is laughter and chaos. Each one of them trying to color the number of eggs they have been assigned. The shades of color are beautiful. Almost like make believe, the newly dipped eggs creating a rainbow in the basket as they are placed. Each of the artists proudly picks their favorite and shows it off to the onlooking older brothers and sisters.

Baskets and candy have been bought and hidden from their inquisitive eyes. Generally in my closet, but this year in plain sight. Early this year discovered that the field mice had invaded the shelter of the closet. Yet none of the kids had uncovered the hidden treasure. The arrival of the fabled Easter Bunny would bring the candy and small gifts for the day. Each child had shared their hopes for what candy the tricky rabbit would bring. Their anticipation was growing as Saturday night came to a close.

Easter morning came and the traditional coffee cake breakfast came with it. Every hungry belly ran to the kitchen to find their baskets. Laughter rang out as they could sneak chocolate for breakfast along with their coffee cake. Two treats in one day!!! More than they could remember having from every other year. Loud cautions of don't eat too much candy and no candy in your Easter clothes could be heard repeated over and over. The noise masked the meaning with giggles and shouts.

A parade of happy faces entered the single family bathroom to shower, comb and put up clean hair, view new clothes, and brush teeth. The line on this day seemed to be endless. They were behind yet happy, even as we herded them to the van. Each one again searching for the perfect seat to ride to church. Each one hoping to plan their seats in church.

As should be expected, church was crowded. More so than we had ever seen it. So full that we were encouraged to take our places in auxiliary seating at the back of the sanctuary just as mass got started. Among other families of three or more children we took our places. The mass began and we were blessed by the priest in acknowledgment of our baptism. We began the story of the resurrection and the glory of Christ's rising. The children again heard the story they had been shown throughout the week.

Shortly after mass ended they changed their clothes and sat down to the dinner we had planned. Happily eating ham, and sharing stories of their week and short vacation from school. They were excited about later in the day. They would go and hunt Easter eggs at the home of a friend. A tradition we had continued for nearly 20 years once Lyndsay had become big enough to participate. They were extremely excited about the opportunity, and it became the focus of joining our friends.

Generally Aidan had been interested in finding the eggs, but mostly for the joy of the candy. Other small trinkets had been included in the plastic packages, but he rarely showed an interest. Hurriedly he would find an egg, and open it to discover candy vs trinket. Candy would be popped immediately in his mouth. Trinkets occasionally had been cast aside like the paper that covered the candy. This year was different. He showed much more directed attention to the task of egg gathering. He was counting the number of eggs, and not opening them for their chocolate treasures. He was discussing how many of each color and pointing out their differences.

As he came home, he was still holding onto one or two of the plastic eggs. He chattered about what he might find inside them. He had found true treasures.

On Wednesday, we took the crew to their normally scheduled CCD classes. Aidan and his brothers and sisters each went off to their classes. They enjoy the classes and generally come home with treats and stories of what they have learned. Excitedly each one will tell of a story, prayer or the revelation of the meaning of a Catholic symbol or religious tradition. As the stories and explanations slowed, Aidan was very thoughtful.

Climbing up onto my lap, he looked very seriously into my face as I asked what he liked about the evening's class. Holding my eyes with his steady gaze, he said they had talked about Easter eggs.

"Oh", I said. "What did the Easter egg mean?" I was not sure what he had been taught. The older children had been taught during a children's sermon many years ago that the egg symbolized the tomb. The symbol meaning that life came from the tomb as chickens come from the egg.

Aidan looked at me very seriously. "Jesus died in the tomb." Never wavering he repeated, "Jesus died."

I asked if he knew Jesus rose from the tomb. He nodded. Again, very seriously, he said, "Jesus is alive." I smiled and agreed.

He stared at my face, then said, "He died for my sins." I was awe struck that he had remembered any part of the story. But to know, that my four year old had heard and remembered the story of the risen Savior definitely surprised me. It made me again aware of how important each day and opportunity to teach the children our faith actually was.

I don't take credit for all that Aidan, or any of the children know about our faith. They are taught and encouraged by many dedicated friends, family members, and fellow parish members who donate their time and share their faith. They do so without reservation or limit to their dedication. We are blessed by their steadfast faith.

But this year for all of our children, not only did they remember the Easter Bunny, but all of them claimed in their hearts the risen Savior.

Thanks be to God!