Okay, here it is...MY EASTER SOAPBOX....hold on, let me climb up here and get the mike adjusted....
What don't more evangelical Christians celebrate the season of Easter a.k.a Lent? Here are my thoughts on why you should make Easter more than a one-day tradition in your family.
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WHY CELEBRATE LENT?
a soapbox speech by Janna Widdifield
For many--and likely most of us--Easter involves one day, perhaps one weekend if you are traveling and dying eggs on Saturday night. Yet, Easter is the cornerstone of our Christian faith.
Consider: We take a whole month to celebrate Christmas. Advent calendar anyone? It involves gifts, decorations, books, movies, songs, activities, parties. You name it, and at Christmas time, we do it.
What about Easter? We get the Easter bunny, egg hunts, chocolate (a very key factor), church on Sunday morning, family dinner after. Maybe, maybe some other Easter-related events, which usually take place at Sunday School or church or MOPS, but not really in our homes.
Now, don't get me wrong. I love Christmas. I am all about God sending Baby Jesus down and giving us such a precious gift. But if Jesus just came and lived and that was it, our faith would be empty--really nothing. What sets Jesus apart is that he not only came, but that he lived a sinless life, died a horrible and shameful death on the cross for our sins (not his own)... Then, rose again on the third day--not only conquering our sin, but death itself.
As Saint Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:14, "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain."
Can I get an "AMEN!"
Without Easter—without the resurrection of Christ—there would be no Christian faith. Christ's resurrection is the proof of his divinity.
This is what the season of Lent is all about. It's about taking a season (really just a little over a month) to reflect and celebrate. Don't you think it deserves some time on our calendars?
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Now, I'm not trying to guilt anyone about into celebrating 40 days of Lent, fasting, giving up something on Ash Wednesday, etc. That's not where I'm going with this at all. I just want to encourage all you mamas out there to think of some simple, but meaningful ways you can do just a little bit more during this season to teach your little ones about how incredible Easter is....making it a little more special, more anticipated, more meaningful. Being more intentional.
Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be sharing some ideas, tutorials, books that we use during this time of year as Easter approaches.
I'll jump up on that box with you, Janna, because I wholeheartedly agree.
The season (Lent/Advent) is so important to my heart in preparation for the HOLY day. It's one of the biggest reasons that our family is committed to being in a liturgical church for now. I love the rhythm of the liturgical calendar. I also appreciate the corporate aspect of Lent and the things our church does to make this season a "journey" to the cross.
Posted by: Meredith | March 28, 2011 at 07:19 AM
AMEN, AMEN, girl!!
Posted by: Erin W. | March 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Amen, sister! How could we ignore this important time of the year? I'm looking forward to your ideas!
Posted by: Sarah | March 28, 2011 at 02:32 PM
AMEN!!!!! I have felt this way for so long! I am so grateful that we are at a church now that celebrates all of the "seasons" on the Christian calendar! I just can't understand why some churches don't even acknowledge the season of Lent! Thank you for standing on your soap box!
Posted by: Laura | March 28, 2011 at 02:48 PM
If there's room, I'll hop on your soapbox as well, I agree with you 100%. We don't do any of the traditional Easter stuff (eggs, baskets, etc.), but I have always thought it was THE holiday we as christians should celebrate!
Looking very forward to your posts!
Posted by: Bonnie | March 28, 2011 at 03:06 PM
AMEN! I think you read my mind. This has been on my mind a lot the past few days. thanks for sharing! Looking forward to your upcoming posts.
Posted by: Melissa | March 28, 2011 at 03:27 PM
I'm glad you did! :) I had a very discouraging discussion about Lent and Easter with a gal that I am mentoring. She was appalled that I would do anything with Lent, because in her opinion it is catholic-based. I tried to explain my belief to her, similar as you are doing on your soapbox, that it is a time when we can prepare ourselves as CHRISTIANS for Easter. Did a bunch of reading on it, too. I know I can't change her mind, but I can open her eyes to other ideas. Looking forward to reading your ideas!
Posted by: melissa | March 29, 2011 at 05:12 AM
You have been the very one to help me be more open hearted and open minded about this very topic. I have felt the Holy Spirit nudging me in this direction for a couple of years now and I have added traditions with my children every year to lengthen our celebration, but, if you remember just last year, wow did I ever get called out and called down by other Christians around me for it. So much so that that is the very reason why I called you to just be able to connect with another mom who cares about using this special time to grow the hearts of our children. This was still a little out of my comfort zone and I didn't have all the answers of why I was doing it except that I felt that that was what the Lord was wanting me to do. It was so calming to the anxiety I was having from being questioned and attacked about it -to just talkt to someone who like myself didn't grow up celebrating the lent season. So, thank you for taking the time. :D
Posted by: Tiffany | March 29, 2011 at 09:24 AM
We celebrate and prepare our hearts in the week leading up to Easter. It is different each year, but special each time.
I have to say that I cringe though and hold back from calling it Lent. I guess I just know too many people who glibly 'give up' something for Lent as if they are doing God a favor. As I teach my children, we anticipate, but recognize that nothing we DO can even compare to what He DID on the cross. I've followed your blog for a while and referenced your Hill of Calvary tutorial in my Easter for Little One's post last year, so I know that is not how you view it (as you clearly stated while 'on your soapbox'), but I do know that many believers don't celebrate "Lent" for those reasons. I think it is sad though that in wanting to avoid something that might be off they end up throwing the baby out with the bathwater and miss out on the joys of anticipating and celebrating the most important weekend of events in human history.
Posted by: Heather | March 30, 2011 at 04:10 PM
I wrote on my Facebook status that I was giving up Facebook and gluten for Lent, and most people were supportive. Another friend asked in jest, "When did you convert?" I don't know why modern Christianity thinks it's okay to ignore spiritual disciplines. I think we'd be closer to Jesus if we didn't think we are above them.
Posted by: Sarah | March 30, 2011 at 08:00 PM