A Look at Easter Decorations - Dave's Deep Thoughts

 

Here's Pastor Dave McDowell's weekly devotional that he sends out to members of his church. Dave is my brother and serves as the Music Minister at Stewartstown UMC in PA.

 

Every holiday has it's unique traditions

and most holidays that have religious roots

often have secular customs that tag along.

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That's not what has me bugged.

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Now don't get me wrong.

I am all for holidays and

all that they do to bring meaning to our lives.

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But let's have a moment

and talk about the elephant in the room.

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You may not want to admit it

but you know what I mean........

I am talking about the decorations.

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Christmas is often over the top.

We can't seem to get enough of Santas, wise men,

and toylands all rolled into

one ball of festiveness.

A sleigh flying over a manger scene?

Old news.

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Halloween is a bit querky.

Some choose to ignore it completely

but many like nothing better

than putting cobwebs, cauldrons, and coffins in their yards.

Add some inflatable vampires,

and you have yourself one little scary celebration.

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Thanksgiving is the middle child of the late year holidays....

sandwiched between the two giants,

often overlooked, feeling a bit neglected.

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A pumpkin and some corn stalks

is about the best we get for this poor holiday.

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This holiday is probably in need of some

major counseling later in life..

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Then there are the late winter/early spring holidays.....

mostly quick flashes in the pan.

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Valentines is a quick flash of red hearts and arrows.

But let's admit it,

it's all about the chocolate.

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On St. Pattie's Day,

we all briefly go green for 24 hours,

though I must admit.....

I'm not a big fan of the leprechaun.

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Then there are the summer patriotic holidays.....

Memorial Day, Flag Day,

Independence Day, Labor Day.

You aren't truly patriotic unless

everything is red, white, and blue,

including your picnic napkins

and your fruit salad.

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Yes,

we have a pretty good idea

what to do with each holiday,

that is ...........

C'mon,

you can admit it.

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And the winner of the award for

the worst decorated holiday

(drum roll)

is Easter!

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In a landslide vote.

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Was there ever any doubt?

I'm not sure what the problem is.

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Maybe its the pastel colors of spring

that create this garish splash of color.

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Maybe my impression of the holiday

was tempered as a child

when I was trapped on a easter egg train ride

with a giant man dressed up in a sweaty easter bunny outfit.

Yeah, that required years of counseling.....

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Whatever the reason,

Easter decorations tend to be plain ugly.

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It starts with the plastic easter eggs

hanging from tree branches

and goes downhill from there.

So much work

for so little aesthetic result.

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Yesterday,

I saw an inflatable bunny

rising out of an oversized easter basket.

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But I think it was the easter tomb decor

that was the worst of all.

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Planted in a yard there it was........

a 3 foot replica of the tomb,

with an easter bunny outside

counting down the days till resurrection.

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I think we have a winner folks.

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Maybe the reason we don't know how to

decorate for Easter

is because you never win

when you try to re-create the beauty of God.

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All around us there are signs of new life,

particularly in this year of the early spring.

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Trees, plants, flowers

all exploding in color and fragrance.

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The Scripture repeatedly proclaims the theme

that all of creation

gives praise and worship to its Creator.

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And as the created,

our best attempts to worship & praise

do not come close to honoring

the source of all beauty.

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And because Easter

is the celebration

that trumps all celebrations,

our best efforts to both comprehend it,

and to express it fall grossly short.

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So the next time

you see a bad Easter display,

turn the other way

and instead look at a tree in bud,

a flower in bloom,

or better yet,

look to the heavens as the sun

radiantly shines upon you,

and proclaim,

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I know that my Redeemer lives.

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You won't understand it completely in the moment,

but later on,

on the other side of the river,

you will nod you head

as you gaze on supreme beauty.

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A joyous celebration of the resurrection to you and yours!

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How beautiful on the mountains

are the feet of Him who brings good news,

who announces peace and brings good news of happiness,

who announces salvation,

and says to Zion,

'Your God reigns!"

Isaiah 52:7

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