Changing Traditions

Easter.

I can remember what Easter meant as a child. A new dress, purse and shoes. Often a hat. Definitely a basket filled with goodies, wrapped up in cellophane tied with a pretty bow.

And the pictures. Can’t forget the pictures. Had to capture the moment of the Easter finery. And usually the house. And almost always the car.

These were the times I remember going to church on that day and sometimes a few other times.

(Didn’t we look GOOD?!?)

The thing is, back then, we very much fit the description that Jesus said that Isaiah uttered about the Pharisees.

`These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’

See, back then, Easter worship — any worship — was very much a tradition.

It’s what we did on Easter morning.

We got up, found the gifts left by the Easter bunny, had breakfast, got dressed in our new duds and went to church, but back then, I never really met God. I really knew nothing of Him. We did these things each year because it’s what we were supposed to do.

Now that I’m older and know the Lord, I think about those who will hold those same traditions this weekend. Many will walk through the doors of church buildings on Easter morning because it’s what they are supposed to do.

What if they meet Jesus while they are there?

What if they leave the building different than when they walked in?

What if this Easter Sunday were different than every other because we started a new tradition? One of true worship?

Believers, let’s take the time this weekend, wherever we are, to share the Easter story. We are so careful to read and share Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth at our family gatherings at Christmas.

What if we took the time to read Matthew’s account of His death, burial and resurrection with our family and friends this year?

Ready to start some new traditions?

Related posts:

1. Ramblings from the Shower?