The Bored Easter Child
While we prepare to celebrate what many Christians consider to be the holiest observance on the calendar, we should think about a hitherto unknown concept of the Easter holiday. This is, after all, a celebration of life renewed and it is no accident that this event happens near the beginning of spring, when the earth is once again coming alive for the growing season. We see buds and shoots, then flowers and trees blossom, unfolding their green foliage as part of nature’s annual show of grandeur.
The main crux of the holiday itself is the miracle of resurrection as told in the story of Christ’s crucifixion and subsequent rise from the dead three days later. Many Christians over the years have used this event to justify their own prejudices and bigotry against the Jewish culture. The old belief that “the Jews killed Christ” has been a common thread in anti-Semitic thought for thousands of years. Make no mistake about this point: the “Christ killer” attitude is ugly and un-Christian-like.
These people are missing the point of the lesson; the bigger picture as it were. The crucifixion had to happen if the resurrection – as foretold in a prophecy — was to occur. The events were destined to happen as a demonstration for all Christians the meaning and value of everlasting life.
This lesson is now obscured by baskets and colored eggs and plastic grass and bunny facsimiles (edible and otherwise) and chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. It is my theory — another one of my historical theories — that this part of the Easter holiday developed because a child somewhere long ago couldn’t grasp the idea of Christ’s resurrection. He and/or she, probably dragged out of a sound sleep to attend a pre-dawn religious service at some point in the past two millennia, rubbed their eyes and said, “I’m bored!”
In the years since this event, adults have tried to find ways to make the whole Easter idea more palatable for young minds. Child too noisy while mom and dad listen to the sermon? Here, give them some candy to chew on.
The sermon is too long for a figidity youngster? Here, give them a brightly colored egg to contemplate.
The child has too many quizzical looks on their face when confronted with such concepts as crucifixion and rising up from the dead? Here, concoct some story about a small furry animal that will bring them treats if they promise to stop fussing and be quiet. This is probably an over-simplification of what actually happened down through the generations, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some truth to it.
I could also use the same argument for Christmas, but 'tis not the season, so I won’t go there...at least for now.
HAPPY EASTER AND HAPPY PASSOVER!
The main crux of the holiday itself is the miracle of resurrection as told in the story of Christ’s crucifixion and subsequent rise from the dead three days later. Many Christians over the years have used this event to justify their own prejudices and bigotry against the Jewish culture. The old belief that “the Jews killed Christ” has been a common thread in anti-Semitic thought for thousands of years. Make no mistake about this point: the “Christ killer” attitude is ugly and un-Christian-like.
These people are missing the point of the lesson; the bigger picture as it were. The crucifixion had to happen if the resurrection – as foretold in a prophecy — was to occur. The events were destined to happen as a demonstration for all Christians the meaning and value of everlasting life.
This lesson is now obscured by baskets and colored eggs and plastic grass and bunny facsimiles (edible and otherwise) and chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. It is my theory — another one of my historical theories — that this part of the Easter holiday developed because a child somewhere long ago couldn’t grasp the idea of Christ’s resurrection. He and/or she, probably dragged out of a sound sleep to attend a pre-dawn religious service at some point in the past two millennia, rubbed their eyes and said, “I’m bored!”
In the years since this event, adults have tried to find ways to make the whole Easter idea more palatable for young minds. Child too noisy while mom and dad listen to the sermon? Here, give them some candy to chew on.
The sermon is too long for a figidity youngster? Here, give them a brightly colored egg to contemplate.
The child has too many quizzical looks on their face when confronted with such concepts as crucifixion and rising up from the dead? Here, concoct some story about a small furry animal that will bring them treats if they promise to stop fussing and be quiet. This is probably an over-simplification of what actually happened down through the generations, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some truth to it.
I could also use the same argument for Christmas, but 'tis not the season, so I won’t go there...at least for now.
HAPPY EASTER AND HAPPY PASSOVER!
posted by todd gunther | 8:08 PM
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