Do you remember when you were a child and the anticipation you felt as Easter drew near?
I don’t know about boys, but I vividly remember going shopping to pick out
the perfect Easter outfit.
Not just a dress – but the matching assessories as well.
The perfect dress that “looked like spring”.
Hat
White Gloves
White lacy socks (for the younger years) or stockings. (I still remember my first pair. They made me feel so grown up!)
All new under garments were a must! (Does anyone remember the scratchy crinolines which made out dress move like a bell when we moved from side to side and caused it to puff out perfectly whenever we had the opportunity to spin around? Ah, what fun!)
White Patent Leather Shoes
White Purse complete with a new lace hankie, a small comb, a small mirror, a stick of chewing gum and a small coin purse with coins inside to place into the offering plate at Church.
A Spring Coat to match the dress if Easter came early in the Spring. (I think we called them dusters?)
A small corsage from Dad Hinchee made me feel quite grown up! I still love wearing flowers – in spite of allergies.
This was just part of the anticipation. Of course, Moms enjoyed preparing “Easter Baskets” which were waiting for us when we arose on Easter morning. (I enjoyed the marshmallow treats and gave Mom the jelly beans and creme eggs.) I don’t know about you, but I am much older than my sister and brother and dyeing the eggs, preparing the baskets and watching Melissa and Steve squeal with delight on Easter morning was the best part of the tradition!
In 1969, our family celebrated Easter as new believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We added going to Church when we were saved in October of 1968. The first Easter at Church was extra special – two of my friends joined us and also believed on Him that Sunday!
After Church, the Hinchee family gathered at the Grandparents home for a wonderful meal cooked by one of the best cooks in Roanoke!
However, none of the trappings could compare with the true meaning of Easter. The resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! “He is not here, He is risen, as He said!”
For centuries, the anticipation of the coming Messiah is evident in the Word of God. God had promised to send a Savior. He established the Passover, laws, ceremonies, traditions that would point to the Cross. His Word revealed prophecies of the coming of the Messiah and our Salvation. That the LORD would lay on Him the iniquities of us all. (Isaiah 53).
The Passover is a picture of Christ. The Tabernacle and the altars with their offerings were a picture and yet when John the Baptist said of Jesus Christ, “Behold, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.” was lost on the Rabbis, the religious zealots, those who were searching diligently for the Messiah didn’t even recognize Him when He bore their sin (and ours) on the cross of Calvary.
All the years of Easter traditions before I received Christ at the age of eleven did not point me to Christ. They didn’t symbolize New Life in Christ or that His shed blood washes us white as snow. – that in Christ, we are new creatures! I was just playing dress up until the Gospel reached my ears and my heart and He made me brand new!
Now, I am anticipating not only the celebration of His defeat over death when He arose from the dead but also the things to come. Thankfulness that He suffered for me and cleansed me from my sin – past, present and future! A home in Heaven, The rapture. The wedding feast – as we are the Bride of Christ adorned for her Husband! (Okay ladies, now that is a good reason to go out and buy new Church clothes – right?)
I’ve been changed by the blood of the Lamb. He gave His life for me and arose that we may have new life! Does my countenance show it? It’s not about the clothes or the sweets that remind us of His sweet sacrifice but it has everything to do with Him. How about you?
Katherine H. Purdy 