Reclaiming Easter

          For a long time, it was difficult for me to motivate myself to “get in the spirit” of Christmas each December. What with all the cacophony of consumerism and stress of the winter holidays, it is always difficult for me to feel like Christmas is actually a celebration of Christ. I mean, I get it. Christ was born of a virgin. It’s a miracle. But the fact that he was born as a man wouldn’t be important at all if it wasn’t for what happened at Gethsemane—and not just Gethsemane, but Cavalry and especially the following Sunday Morning. To me, Christmas has nothing on Easter.

          Easter is very real and very easy for me to get excited about. In fact, I would even say Easter is my favorite holiday, because I actually understand what the fuss is all about. I’ve always spent Easter with Christ as the focus. My family always had a special lamb dinner to remember the Lamb. My mother always lovingly gave us Easter cards with scriptures; the cross was a prominent decoration and reminder; we always attended church where we usually heard an Easter Cantata or some sort of music dedicated to Christ and the Atonement along with a sermon emphasized on what the Resurrection means for us. Even as a twenty-five year old woman, I still get an Easter package every year. It’s as big a holiday for my family as is Thanksgiving or Christmas.  And isn’t that how it should be? Shouldn’t it be the most important holiday that we can celebrate?

This year's Easter package from my mama

          Joseph Smith said, “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.” The Atonement and the Resurrection are what it’s all about! Nothing would matter without it. There would be no “good news,” just a harsh line separating good and evil, leaving “the good” unattainable, and The Law condemning us all in our imperfections. 

          But that isn’t the end. The end is more glorious than any of the disciples could have imagined. Jesus died, after three dark days, rose again. The resurrection is a testament that God does not leave us in our sorrows. Our life story is not a tragedy. As President Hinckley said, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” When Mary Magdalene first went to Christ’s tomb that Sunday morning, she mistook it as the end.

          For me, this is the climax of the beautiful Easter story. Mary Magdalene is at the garden tomb. She has seen that the tomb is empty and had immediately gone to the Apostles. Peter and John had run to see for themselves, but soon left Mary alone and weeping in the Garden. She is heartbroken that her Lord has been betrayed and killed and now his body stolen? This is too much. Then a man, who she believes is the gardener, asks her what is wrong. She unknowingly responds with an emotional plea to know where the body of Jesus is. She does not recognize the man as her lord and savior until he says her name.

          “Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” (John 20:16) As if the storm clouds broke to reveal a marvelous sun shining, the sorrow vanishes and is replaced by sheer joy. The grave could not hold him! Jesus overcame death to bring us hope! His victory is for us individually. 

          I heard someone once speak of Luke 22:43 in a church meeting, where an angel came to Jesus while he suffered in Gethsemane. The scripture says the angel provided comfort. The speaker said “What could the angel have possibly said to bring comfort to Christ while he endured the pains and sorrows of all of humanity? I think the only comfort the angel could offer during this time was a reminder of why he was suffering. A reminder of those for whom he was atoning, those he loved so well—or in other words, us. To Christ, I suggest that the angel was whispering our names.”

Now this isn’t doctrine, but it definitely depicts how deep Christ’s love is for each of us individually. If you were the only person on Earth, Christ’s love extends so far that he would suffer and atone for just you.

          However this is a two sided coin. A true understanding of what Christ did shows that if Christ would die for just me, he would willingly sacrifice for each person you meet. Every person you see on the street, every brother and sister, every coworker, neighbor, felon, immigrant and politician. This idea hit me hard this week. I was listening to Lamb of God by Rob Gardner when I was told that someone had intentionally, blatantly and cruelly belittled my husband. My husband, the kindest, most loyal goofball anyone will ever meet. The man with a heart of gold who goes out of his way to help people. The man I love! I was lividly stewing about it, thinking about how we’re supposed to turn the other cheek, and what I’d do if we weren’t instructed to do so. I was finding comfort in the thought that people like that will get their just rewards in the end—then I realized, as I listened to Mary’s song, “Here is Hope,” that no. “People like that” will not get their just rewards. And that’s the point of the Atonement, that none of us will get what we deserve.

          It is extremely humbling to realize that I am part of the demographic of “people like that.” We all are. We all are desperately in need of a Savior, whether we realize it or not. And any sin, “big” or “small,” prevents us from entering the presence of God. I’m still wrestling with this concept.  There are only a few people in the world I would say I hated, and as a Christian I am being asked to see them as someone worthy of love? Not just my love, but the love of my sweet Savior as well? Not by my strength can such a feat be attained. And that’s why Sunday Morning is so important. As President Packer said “Restoring what you cannot restore, healing the wound you cannot heal, fixing that which you broke and you cannot fix is the very purpose of the atonement of Christ.” 

          So how do we celebrate this sacred day, glorious day of all days? Here are some ways that Vaughn and I have found help us really center on Christ during the Easter season. Our traditions are mostly during Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. I would love to hear how you celebrate the Savior during this special season personally and with your families!

Music

          Last weekend we attended a production of Lamb of God, (mentioned previously), performed by Witness Music Utah, an interdenominational Christian musical group. It is a powerful oratorio about the last few days of Christ’s mortal life. It depicts emotions of the apostles and his mother, Mary during the events. It has a strong message of hope laced throughout, and I wish I had the ability to express how much this work impacted me. I felt not only Christ’s love, but a deep love for him in return. Lamb of God was an answer to prayer. I bought the CD as soon as I could and have been listening to it every single day since. If you have the chance, I would strongly recommend seeing this performance live next year, but until then, you can buy the CD at WitnessMusicUtah.org. It is SO GOOD. Aside from Lamb of God, I’ve found that listening to Easter hymns really help you reflect on the Savior and the Atonement.

Family Scripture Study 

          We also redirected our nightly family scripture study to the scriptures that corresponded with the events of Holy Week.  You can find these kinds of reading lists on Pinterest (where you find most everything else) or in this article from one of Vaughn’s amazing religion professors: Eric D Huntsman. Here is Dr. Huntsman’s reading list:

Palm Sunday: Triumphal Entry; cleansing of the temple
(Matthew 21:1–17; Mark: 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–46; John 12:12–19)

Monday: Cursing of the fig tree; cleansing of the temple in Mark; teaching in the temple
(Matthew 21:18–22:14; Mark 11:12–19; Luke 19:47–20:18; John 12:20–36)

Tuesday: Lessons from the fig tree; more teachings in the; the Olivet Discourse
(Matthew 22:15–25:46; Mark 11:20–13:37; Luke 20:19–21:38; John 12:37–50)

Wednesday: Plot to kill Jesus; the anointing described by Mark and Matthew; Judas agrees to betray Jesus
(Matthew 26:1–16; Mark 14:1–11; Luke 22:1–6)

Thursday: The Last Supper; Gethsemane; betrayal and arrest; Jesus before the Jewish authorities (Matthew 26:17–26:75; Mark 14:12–72; Luke 22:7–71; John 13:1–18:27)

Good Friday: Jesus in the hands of the Romans; the Crucifixion; the burial
(Matthew 27:1–61; Mark 15:1–47; Luke 23:1–56; John 18:28–19:42)

Saturday: Jesus in the Spirit World
(Matthew 27:62–66; 3 Nephi 9–10; 1 Peter 3:18–4:6; D&C 138)

Easter Sunday: The Resurrection
(Matthew 28:1–15; Mark 16:1–14; Luke 24:1–49; John 20:1–23)

Family Night 

          This year we spent our family night making Resurrection cookies and reading through the story of Jesus’ betrayal and resurrection as laid out here. The cookies are meringue-like and bake with a hollow hole in the center to symbolize the empty tomb. In the past, we have also made Lazarakia bread. That is an orthodox tradition where you make this heavy sweet bread in the shape of Lazarus in the burial shroud. 

Resurrection cookies

Dinner in the Dark

          In the Book of Mormon, we learn that during the three days after Jesus’ death, there was complete darkness. (3 Nephi 8:20-23) To remember this, we had a meal in the dark by candlelight on Saturday. We had sparkling grape juice and challah bread (Jewish braided sweet bread eaten during Shabbat).

Holla for the Challah!

Candlelight dinner

Seek out Opportunities

          This year we had the opportunity to attend BYU’s Easter Conference, where we heard Dr. Huntsman, Dr. Daniel K. Judd and the beloved Sheri Dew speak. They spoke of the Atonement and standing as witnesses of Christ. It was the perfect way to celebrate Good Friday. There are also opportunities to participate in Messiah sings and other concerts (like Lamb of God!) in your community. Seek them out! 

          I know some who actually take Good Friday off work to celebrate in their personal way. I had the blessing of attending a Christian university that gave us Good Friday off, and I found great significance in taking the opportunity to go to the temple. In my church, because baptism is so important, we believe in performing baptisms by proxy for those who have passed without the opportunity of being baptized in this life. Proxy baptisms and other ordinances are performed in LDS temples. I found great significance in taking the opportunity to go to the temple and worship in that way on Good Friday. "Dying," by being lowered into the water and "rising" as you are lifted out truly helped me better understand what Christ did and how we each have our own personal "deaths" and victories every day (1 Corinthians 15:31) as we utilize the Atonement in our lives. 

          I know that my Savior lives. I am grateful for His Atonement and the opportunity to start over again and again. I’m grateful for Christ’s example, and his patience with me. I know it is through him that I can be made whole. And I know that what President Howard W. Hunter said is true: “Whatever Jesus lays his hand upon lives.” By his stripes I have been healed, and because he rose again, I can become better. 

Hallelujah!