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Hello Friends:
Lately I've been thinking more and more about The Family of God
diffused throughout this beautiful world of ours. Men and Women from
every tribe, tongue, color, and nation, who proclaim the life
changing power of the resurrection of our Savior and Lord. It brings
me great comfort to know that Christ Jesus is glorified by countless
people from a variety of cultures utilizing a variety of traditions.
We can learn a lot from our neighbors miles upon miles away. We
celebrate Easter in our own way and in our own context, honoring God
in our own way. How do other communities celebrate Easter? How do
other communities honor God during this special time of year?
In New Zealand and in Australia, they enjoy homemade hot cross buns
that are spiced and sweet, with the Cross of Christ marked on top.
Christians in Ethiopia hold an all-night vigil before Easter
morning. As you can imagine, things start off very somber and
mournful as they reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and his body being
sealed away in the tomb. As the sun rises on Easter morning, their
grief turns into joy and loud music and dancing! What an awesome
celebration!
In the Philippines two festive parades come together, resulting on
one big celebration. The men form one parade with a beautiful image
of the resurrected Christ. The women take another parade route and
they have with them an image of Mary, the mother of Jesus, grieving
the death of her son. When the two parades or groups of people come
together, Jesus comforts his mother, revealing to her that he is
victorious over death, and the grieving/mourning clothes that Mary
is wearing come off and she rejoices!
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In Bermuda believers fly colorfully
decorated kites to illustrate their belief in the Ascension of our
Lord into Heaven 40 days after His Resurrection. It's not surprising
that a teacher started this tradition!
In Greece families play an Easter game with eggs that are dyed red
(for the blood of Christ). Children take their egg and tap theirs
against another child's egg. As one egg cracks they proclaim that
Christ is Risen (egg cracking symbolizes the tomb being opened). The
child with the strongest egg that does not crack wins!
It is such a blessing to remember that The Church is far bigger and
grander than our own local manifestation of The Kingdom here in
Central Illinois. I love our local churches, but it sure feels good
to know that we are a part of such a large family! Happy Easter!
[Ryan Jay Edgecombe
Broadwell Christian Church
Central Presbyterian Church - Petersburg, IL] |
