When I was growing up, Easter was a much bigger celebration than Christmas. We prepared for it weeks in advance by baking endless delicious pastries, purchasing brand new outfits, shoes, and accessories to wear on Easter morning, and planning meals for the big family gathering, not to mention the monetary gifts we received from the grandparents, aunts, and uncles. We also enjoyed Easter because we received a longer break from school and work; we got four days off vs. three days for Christmas, and we celebrated for the four straight days. One of the main traditions was for everyone to pay each other a visit, where the host family served tea along with the delicious pastries. Guests were offered the best chocolate assortments available. Once someone paid us a visit, then we had to reciprocate that visit shortly after. We colored hardboiled eggs a few days in advance and played a game with them at the family gathering. Upon arrival, the hosting family provided everyone with an egg. We held the egg tightly in one hand and attempted to break other people’s eggs with ours. If we managed to crack someone else’s egg then we’d take their money. We played this game until everyone’s egg had a crack or two. It was a simple and fun game that everyone participated in.
These are just some of the many Easter traditions we had in Iraq that bring back wonderful memories. The one thing that was never associated with Easter, was the bunny concept. No bunny toys, no bunny chocolate, and definitely no Easter bunny.
Having a culture rich of traditions and rituals is exciting, but having a faith that stands apart from any other religion due to the resurrection, supersedes everything else.
From Palm Sunday, to the Last Supper, to the Crucifixion, and finally the Resurrection, these are some of the major events that took place in Jesus’ final week on earth. What a significant week! As a woman of faith, I can’t imagine practicing my faith without acknowledging the magnitude of these events, especially the Resurrection.
If you want to know what true sacrificial love is then look no further than the bible and Christ’s sacrifice, a selfless act that demonstrates God’s love for us. You don’t have to be a man or a woman of faith to show acts of kindness, selfless acts of love towards others. All it takes is action…small steps to make a difference.
The stone has been rolled away…the prophesies have been fulfilled…He is Risen…Christ’s selfless act of love has been extended…what are you waiting for?