Have you ever wondered where the Easter Bunny comes from,
or why he brings Easter eggs? 
Bunnies are symbolic of fertility and growth, because they multiply so rapidly. 
The Easter bunny was a tradition brought to this country by German Lutherans back in the 1700’s and has become a beloved part of most Christian celebrations. 
The tradition of celebrating with Easter eggs is even older,
and can be traced back to Christians in Mesopotamia,
who gave Easter eggs to celebrate new life in Christ. 
The egg reminds us that Jesus died for us, and the broken, empty egg symbolizes the empty tomb and the miracle of his resurrection from the dead.
Alan and I celebrated Easter with Jon and Gerlinde’s family last weekend. 
We had a wonderful breakfast together and then got ready for church.
The children sang “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” during the morning service. 
However, the lyrics are quite complicated for little ones, 
so Linda practiced with the girls ahead of time, helping them understand
the message of this eloquent hymn of our faith.
Afterwards everyone took time for fellowship with coffee, donuts, and play. 
Then, it was time for lunch & a nap, (and for the Easter bunny[ies] to hide eggs)!
It was pouring rain, and then it started to hail! 😦
However, Linda wisely reminded us of a German saying:
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” 
The children had a marvelous time searching for eggs. 
In fact, we all had a marvelous time!
I’m not sure who feels the deepest pleasure!
Is it the children as they hunt for treasure, 
or the parents, who delight in watching their children’s joy? 
Or, perhaps it’s the grandparents, who feel so deeply the goodness of passing down through the generations such blessed Christian traditions. 
Thank you, Father, for giving us families and so many precious times to share! 
Thank you most of all for Christ, who died and rose again for us on Easter Day, giving us the hope of being raised from the dead to new life as well! 
Jesus said: “I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
“Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
“Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
“Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
“Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!”
(—Charles Wesley, 1739)
~~~ So sweet!! I would like to have hunted for eggs when I was little!!
On Tue, Mar 29, 2016 at 12:56 PM, Summer Setting wrote:
> Kathi posted: “Have you ever wondered where the Easter Bunny comes from, > or why he brings Easter eggs? Bunnies are symbolic of fertility and growth, > because they multiply so rapidly. The Easter bunny was a tradition brought > to this country by German Lutherans back in t” >
I wish you could have! Did your family celebrate Easter? If so, what did they do?
Beautiful Post – I love your daughter-in-law’s attitude regarding the weather – very positive spirit.
Me too! She’s the perfect wife for Jonathan…who sat with his brother Michael in the pouring rain one night when he was a kid so they could finish watching some Disney video at Fort Wilderness’s “Movie Under the Stars.” The rest of us scurried for shelter near the concession booth! 🙂
Dear Kathi, thanks for sharing those wonderful pictures with us! Really marvellous!
I dare say, you have absolutely delightful grandchildren!