Many things have been written about Easter, from how the Easter bunny came to be to why we decorate chicken eggs, all the way up to the original meaning of this day, Jesus rising from the dead.
Now, I'm not going to put down any of these customs celebrating this incredible day because honestly, I don't know if Jesus would think, " Any thing that makes children happy is O.K. with me." then again it may sadden him that humans have equated fancy colored baskets and plastic grass with the single most magnificent event in the history of the world.
After all, look what has become of His birthday....again the most significant birth in human history and we invent a fat guy in a red suit from the North pole to symbolize the gift of giving. Oh ...that's gotta make him proud.
What I wonder is what must it have been like to honor the most tremendous miracle ever, one year after it happened ?
You know our tendencies to forget our feelings over time, with each passing year every major event loses a bit of it's luster. Remember how your gut hurt on 9/11 and today, it is still thought of as a horrendous event, but for many it is now 7 years removed and a little less than it was then.
Wouldn't surprise me if in another 20 years or so there were 9/11 coloring books. Think that's strange ? Imagine standing at the cave when it was noticed the body of Jesus was gone and telling the person next to you, "One day they will color pictures of rabbits to commemorate this day." You would have been hit with a rock for being that stupid.
So what must it have felt like, that first anniversary of Gods Greatest Miracle ? Even amongst the lowest living standards of the times, the terrible drudgery of human suffering, how it must have been so fresh in the minds of those that believed.
How hope and salvation would have been overwhelming in the hearts of those who knew. To get on your knees and worship with no doubt, the greatest event of all times.
Dear Lord....Forgive us, for we know not what we have done.
» left by Teresa Ortiz(10,911) Teresa Ortiz (1 year 244 days ago.)
Amen. Bravo. Well done. Resurrection day and Easter have nothing to do with eachother. Easter is a pagan holiday that commorates ashtar- the fertility goddess and spring etc.. another story. But the resurrection is the very proof that Jesus is who He claimed to be. Though many would say we are the dumb ones and his body was stolen. Again. Good job my dear friend-Happy resurrection day! Teresa Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,044) Michael Kocis (1 year 244 days ago.)
Hi Dear, thank you again for the comments. As you know by now I have a "unique" way of looking at some of our customs and traditions, and I was just wondering what it might have been like then. Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 244 days ago.)
I have often thought about that as well. When I watched the Passion of the Christ, it took me back and I cried. Reading about it is awesome, but getting a visual changes things and though it was just one man's visual of the Biblical account, it sure made it "real". What a privilege the few had that morning! I would like to ask them about that day when I see them. Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,044) Michael Kocis (1 year 244 days ago.)
It's good to hear others have thought about this too, I believe we all should take a moment and imagine how it was then. If nothing else, it helps put "now" in a different light.
Michael Respond to this comment
» left by Susan Thom(12,031) Susan Thom (1 year 244 days ago.)
hi michael,
very interesting, well written story, with questions that automatically make the reader think, and question, at least, i did.
i was almost shot by relatives and friends for not wanting to put too much emphasis on santa or the easter bunny. i made it until the kids were old enough not to believe, but it was against my grain. i'd watch jesus christ superstar, or jesus of nazareth with them, and the next day, they'd get their baskets.
but i really tried to blend the make believe with reality, even though, for most, the easter bunny was reality, and jesus a fantasy. thanks for sharing,
best regards,
sue thom Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,044) Michael Kocis (1 year 244 days ago.)
Hi Sue, Thanks and I'm happy you enjoyed my take on Easter. I agree that today, for many both young and old the rabbit is front and center while Jesus stands in the background.
» left by Anonymous (1 year 243 days ago.)
Michael,
It's true that we put too much emphasis on the material side of Christmas gifts and Easter eggs, but at least it reinforces giving to people we care about. There is the fact that it causes too much stress, expense and giving to people we only feel obligated to give to. I don't anymore. I only give to a very few, my special loved ones. I'm not a believer, let me say that up front, but I do respect others' beliefs and it really isn't fitting to have so much commercialism around what many see is the deepest, most profound experience of their faith. To me, a world where we all respect others' deep beliefs, of whatever persuasion, would make the best gift any one person can give another.
BTW, did you know the current Santa 'look' was devised by Coke to resemble their bottles? Makes you think, doesn't it? Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,044) Michael Kocis (1 year 243 days ago.)
Hello Hannah,
It used to "bother" me the way Christmas and Easter were commercialised, silly me. I have to wonder though, if it weren't for all the plastic fantastic things we seem to celebrate at those times of the year, would most people wouldn't even remember the day. Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,044) Michael Kocis (1 year 242 days ago.)
Yeah...I'm still ot sure how that works. I am glad you enjoyed it second time around.
Michael Respond to this comment
» left by Joel Hendon(22,281) Joel Hendon (1 year 241 days ago.)
Great article Michael. People have always chosen to do those things which please them, never mind if it pleases God. We live in an era where "If it feels good, do it." is the way things are. Jesus left full instructions for us on how and when to observe and celebrate His death. Yet, people prefer to do anything else. His method isn't fun. It's somber. It shows humble respect. Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,044) Michael Kocis (1 year 241 days ago.)
Hi Joel, I remember the "if it feels good do it" era, personally I think if you look around, it's mutated into " if it feels good , do it ...to everybody" Thanks for your comments Joel
Michael Respond to this comment
» left by Leah(12,736) Leah (1 year 240 days ago.)
You have a great way of hitting the nail right on the head Michael and so concisely too! Not waffling on to strike the point home. The colouring book analogy is indeed a powerful one and you are correct! It really makes me aware of just how much we trivialise things. This article and point needs more exposure!! Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,044) Michael Kocis (1 year 240 days ago.)
Once again, Thank You Leah. I have been told, more than once, "You have a strange way of looking at stuff." Perhaps ? ? I sometimes look at things as though I just arrived here, and a lot of what I see just doesn't make any sense.
As for the colouring book analogy , that is what we do. You know you've hit the big time when you have either a colouring book, action figure, or a sandwich named after you. Think about it, who's the most famous girl in the world ? she has been for a while and she probably always will be. Yep .....Barbie !
My greatest gift from you Leah, are those 5 words near the end, "It really makes me aware" coming from one person makes it worth writing.
Michael Respond to this comment
» left by Robert Melaccio, Sr.(5,144) Robert Melaccio, Sr. (1 year 239 days ago.)
My suggestion only would be to make your article more broad based to the larger audiances. While you will attract the religious crowd and your points are good you need to emphasize why they trivilize in a gentle way. How they came about may provide more impact to the overall point. Example, the church in order to induce more pagans, etc.Hope this persepctive helps? Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,044) Michael Kocis (1 year 239 days ago.)
Hi Robert, thank you, cause what you say is very true, if my intent was to reach a broader audience. Then again, if I wanted to reach more people, my subject matter would be more along the lines of "New And Exciting Hair Styles For Monkeys" or " Dating Secrets For Invisible People" (watch somebody do those now.)
I find that I write for one person ...You ! Whoever , You are. I do appreciate your advise and I'm sure it will influence, in some way, future articles.
Michael Respond to this comment
» left by carolee(148) carolee (1 year 238 days ago.)
Having worked in retail for a long time I saw a little of both religious and easter bunny. Your article was food for thought and I hope 911 is never a coloring book. Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,044) Michael Kocis (1 year 237 days ago.)
Hi Carolee, Thank you for your comments Dear, unfortunately I think someday 9/11 WILL be a colouring book ....hell, some have already turned it into worse .....rosie O, charlie sheen,and dip weed willie nelson to name a few that tout President Bush blew it up.
I love it when they say, (after a few cocktails) "well I saw a Vegas hotel get blowed up, and it looked kinda the same."
Anyways thanks Carolee
Michael Respond to this comment
» left by Laura Trahan(38,620) Laura Trahan (1 year 238 days ago.)
Michael-Thanks so much for making me think! It is a interesting thought to think how God is viewing all of this. I do pray, however, that we don't get to those 9/11 coloring books! Great article! Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,044) Michael Kocis (1 year 238 days ago.)
Hello Laura, That's a great compliment, saying that I made you think, Thank You. My hope is that if God does a daily look down to check in on us, He has a little smile, and thinks,"Perfect, their right on schedule." Then looks over and asks, " Are You Almost Ready To Go Back Son ?"
Michael Respond to this comment
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