When I was growing up, we did not have many Easter traditions. Mom and I would shop a few weeks in advance for Easter dresses, I would wake up to an Easter basket on Easter morning, and we would go to church. However, after attending church, the day didn’t seem much different than any other Sunday. Then I met Eric, got married, and realized that some families have long-lasting Easter traditions.
Easter, or “Resurrection Sunday” as many prefer to call it, should be one of the biggest days of celebration in the life of a believer. We make a big deal out of Christmas, as we should; but, Easter is often reduced to pastel clothes, chocolate bunnies, and colorful eggs. Personally, I love chocolate bunnies and colorful eggs, but it’s important to stay focused on the real meaning of Easter. Jesus Christ suffered mind-blowing torture and died a shameful death which He did not deserve in order to pay the penalty for our sin. Then… He arose! For those who are in Christ, what is more exciting to celebrate than the resurrection of our Lord? Because He lives, we can live!
The first year we were married, I discovered that Eric’s family kept a tradition of eating a lamb dinner following the morning church service on Resurrection Sunday. Not only that, but he was bound and determined to continue the tradition. My cooking skills had not been honed at this point in our marriage and I had never cooked lamb in my life. Quite frankly, the whole ordeal stressed me out.
Needless to say, it turned out just fine. However, the next year, I forgot to buy the lamb until the last minute. We went to several grocery stores before we found one that had any lamb remaining for sale. As we were scrambling around town looking for lamb, I came to realize how serious Eric was about this tradition. It was a nice tradition to me, but for him, it was a strong connection with his family, childhood, and faith. Now I buy lamb a couple weeks in advance, just in case. ~smile~
Since we’ve been married, we have enjoyed celebrating Christ’s resurrection with family, friends, and tasty lamb (last year, it was – and this year, it will be – with a cherry glaze!). Hopefully as the years pass, we can extend this celebration to future children and grandchildren. Traditions are very good to build into new marriages. You can even begin traditions as you prepare for marriage.
What are your Easter traditions that are important to you? Does your boyfriend/girlfriend have any that are important to him/her? As you consider moving toward marriage, learn about each other’s traditions. Decide which traditions you’d like to continue in your future family and which ones you’d rather leave behind. If neither of you have a strong Easter tradition, develop one now. The tradition will grow over the years, especially with the arrival of new family members.
What Easter traditions are important to you? What traditions do you hope to start in your future family?
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