Easter - Fresh Air at a Lake in the Forest
by Nessy Shimwafeni
This weekend almost everybody everywhere celebrates Easter.
Easter means different things to different people.
Because of the Corona Pandemic it will also be a much different time for everybody, but the most important thing to remember is that Jesus died for our sins and that we are forgiven.
Today we took our bicycles and cycled to a nearby Lake situated in a forest.
The panorama, the fresh air, trees and water was just breath-taking and refreshing. Since this hidden lake in the forest is situated nearby where we stay, we will always make it our escape into nature.
Especially during difficult times like now that we are all facing, it is important to find a place of solitude where one can escape to and revitilize.
If you can not get away out of your home, I suggest you find a quiet corner in your home and meditate and pray.
Easter Definition
Easter, also called Pascha (Greek, Latin) or Resurrection Sunday, is a festival and holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day after his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent (or Great Lent), a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance.
Most Christians refer to the week before Easter as "Holy Week", which contains the days of the Easter Triduum, including Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Maundy and Last Supper, as well as Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
In Western Christianity, Eastertide, or the Easter Season, begins on Easter Sunday and lasts seven weeks, ending with the coming of the 50th day, Pentecost Sunday.
In Eastern Christianity, the season of Pascha begins on Pascha and ends with the coming of the 40th day, the Feast of the Ascension.
Easter and the holidays that are related to it are moveable feasts which do not fall on a fixed date in the Gregorian or Julian calendars which follow only the cycle of the Sun; rather, its date is offset from the date of Passover and is therefore calculated based on a lunisolar calendar similar to the Hebrew calendar.
Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by much of its symbolism, as well as by its position in the calendar. In most European languages the feast is called by the words for passover in those languages; and in the older English versions of the Bible the term Easter was the term used to translate passover.
Easter customs vary across the Christian world, and include sunrise services, exclaiming the Paschal greeting, clipping the church, and decorating Easter eggs (symbols of the empty tomb). The Easter lily, a symbol of the resurrection, traditionally decorates the chancel area of churches on this day and for the rest of Eastertide.
Additional customs that have become associated with Easter and are observed by both Christians and some non-Christians include egg hunting, the Easter Bunny, and Easter parades.There are also various traditional Easter foods that vary regionally.
Well however you will be celebrating your Easter, make it worthwhile and remember this is a time of remembrance and appreciations.
My wife Leila and I will spend our Easter mediating, praying and giving thanks to the most High.