Chicks, Eggs, Crosses and Easter Merchandising……

 Ok, I will take a minute to spout my opinion about all of the Easter merchandising I am seeing this year.  I realize this makes me sound like I am turning into my Mother–or possibly your Mother.

 I was struck when I went to Target yesterday by how many aisles there are devoted to Easter “stuff.” Most of it, of course, has absolutely nothing to do with the real reason we celebrate the day.  There was one whole row of toys to buy to put in your child’s Easter basket.  (It reminded me of the row of similar toys at Christmas time except they had Santa on them.)

 Don’t get me wrong.  I like chicks and bunnies. My children, Zoe and Luke, do decorate eggs.  I can eat malted Easter eggs with the best of them and I do enjoy it.  (That is my favorite Easter candy.)

 I do believe, however, we live in a time where we really are counter-culture as Christians in our society.  We especially see this at holiday times such as Christmas and Easter.  Christmas is so much this way, that when I asked our neighbor’s daughter who saw a nativity set at our home, if she had ever heard of Jesus and Mary and Joseph, she simply said, “No.” This was not part of the Christmas she had experienced.

 So, my encouragement would be to also buy some Christian things this Easter if you are already purchasing things.  When you purchase cards to send to family, think though the real meaning and don’t just pick the cutest thing with the bunnies on it.  When you purchase that Easter craft for your kids, choose the cross or lamb instead of the bunny.  Christian themed things are getting harder and harder to find (unless you shop at Hobby Lobby that is) and I fear in a few years, we may hardly be able to find any at mainline stores.  (And then what will I put up for my neighbor’s daughter to see?)

 Ok, I will get off of my soapbox.

Happy Easter!

He is risen!

Blessings,

Thora