Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
Life today seems quite different from 50 years ago when I was a little girl. We always got a new outfit for Easter. Of course, my mom made ours. She was the best seamstress, and they were “so much better than store-bought.”
She always made me a shift dress with a cape or jacket to match. Then, we got out our white gloves and cute spring hat to add to the Sunday attire.
After our special church service, dad drove us to West Virginia where his parents lived. I got to be with my other 20 plus cousins and 18 aunts and uncles, plus distant kin.
It was always a happy time with family, as we celebrated this special day.
You see, my granny in WV was a born-again Christian and she raised us all, her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids in the love of Jesus Christ. In fact, she made my mom take me to church when I was still in her belly.
So, we always gave Jesus first place, though we also received the Easter baskets and got to hunt tons of Easter eggs, (some of which my cousins loved to eat – yuk!).
Many today have no idea what the original meaning of Easter is all about. This saddens me; maybe because of what it really means, and the depth that Jesus Christ plays in my life.
In fact, today, some only know the name of Jesus Christ in a swearing manner.
Still, the special meaning of Easter holds a powerful place; one which many agree cannot be substituted or denied.
Jesus Christ was born to this world a few thousand years ago, to “save” us from ourselves, our own sins and eternal death.
He was rejected at only 33 years of age, lied about, not believed, traded off in exchange for a murderer, beaten “beyond recognition” (can you even imagine that?) and then crucified on a cross for people to make fun of.
Many refused to accept Him as the true Son of God, the Messiah that was prophesied to come to earth, in the Old Testament of the Bible.
However, because He was the Son of God, He did not stay in the grave. He came to earth (to us) to fulfill a purpose.
The Bible prophesied that on the third day, He would rise from the dead. And He did, after going to the pits of hell and taking back the “keys from Satan” so that one day, we could live eternally with He and God in His Heaven.
That’s what Easter is celebrated for. Some Christians call it Resurrection Day instead, as the term Easter is actually named after a pagan goddess of spring.
According to historic records, it is said to be “the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church” and is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Northern Spring Equinox.
There’s something special about rising early on Easter. To stand atop a hillside, as the sun rises, singing joyful songs amidst others, seems to bring a more powerful meaning to the day, representing new life, a new start and a hope for our today and eternal tomorrow.
This year, several churches in Craig will celebrate Resurrection Day with a special message and some will even have Easter egg hunts and special dinners:
- Craig Valley Gospel Fellowship: 7 a.m. – Easter Sunrise service
- Mt. View Baptist: 11 a.m. – “The Light Shines Brightest on Easter Sunday Morning”
- Lighthouse Baptist: 11 a.m. – Special Easter message and The Lord’s Supper with Easter egg hunt on Friday, April 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. (bring your own basket, and snacks will be provided)
- Craig Valley Baptist: Apr 1 – Maundy Thursday service at 7 and potluck at 6, 11 a.m. – Easter message from Dr. Randy Spencer from Liberty University
- Grace Assembly of God: 10:30 a.m. (In drama and song) Easter Sunday – Crucifixion message, April 1 Jesus’ Return
- Cornerstone – New Castle: 10:30 a.m. – Easter service
- St. Johns Catholic Church: 11 a.m. – Easter mass
- Forks for Johns Creek Christian Church: 10 a.m. Easter service
- New Castle Christian Church: 10 a.m. – “You are The Resurrection and The Life”
Many churches have an Easter Sunrise Service and a Seder feast, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This is also the time the Hebrew writings call, Passover, which many still celebrate today.
In Biblical time, King Herod ordered every boy child two years and younger to be killed as he was trying to execute the baby Jesus at that time as he had heard that this to be the new king.
But God told His people if they would kill a lamb and place the blood on their doorposts, then the death angel would not touch their child.
Also, Jesus was crucified during this season as well, creating a ‘pass-over from eternal hell, for people to become cleansed from their sins, if they repent and follow Him.
Why repent? Because is it stated that there is a Heaven and a Hell. Everyone will go to one or the other for eternity, when they leave this earth. No one just “dies.”
Jesus Christ, The Master Craftsman, created a one-way avenue for all mankind to live forever in Heaven with Him.
He chose to give His life, shed His blood, enter hell to get the keys from Satan (which man gave him), and rise again, so that every man and woman could enter the gates of Heaven for eternity.
Resurrection Day or Easter is celebrated in America on Sunday, April 4, during the Passover season.
It is a time to remember the Creator of the world, who created man and woman and who still wishes to create a new heart in everyone.
For many, it is a time of new birth or remembrance of the ‘reason for the season’ and to “choose whom they will follow” as choices are made to “passover” a life of sin and death and into a life of peace and eternal salvation with a Savior who loves endlessly.
May this Easter bring you resurrected life, hope and new beginnings.
