Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Rev. Wendy Paterson — Pastoral Care Coordinator

Wasn't it lovely to enjoy some warm, bright days recently?! To me, they felt like a wonderful gift from God at a time when we really needed them.

We had a few good walks and we look forward to more when Spring comes back. On our walks, we were surprised to see so many Christmas decorations still on the lawns in our neighbourhood. Of course the piles of snow from the winter storms had completely covered them. There is one house near ours that puts up a full sized nativity scene on the front lawn each December. It isn't a complete creche with shepherds, magi, and animals - just Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in a manger. These three characters were totally hidden by all the snow. Eventually, the heads of Mary and Joseph appeared as the snow started to shrink. After a few more days, we noticed that even more of Mary and Joseph was visible but still, no sign of Jesus. It wasn't until almost all the snow had disappeared that we finally could get a good look at Jesus. On our next walk, the holy family had been packed up and stored away until next Christmas.

Now Easter is just around the corner. We are sure to see plenty of bunnies, chicks, and colourful eggs on the lawns as we go on our walks, but it is doubtful that we will see many crosses or empty tombs. We can't depend on our neighbours' decorations to remind us how Jesus fits into this season of new life and hope. Unlike at Christmas, there aren't even many secular songs that mention Easter. The only ones that come to my mind are Here Comes Peter Cottontail and Put on your Easter Bonnet. Remember those two? Fun songs to sing, perhaps, but they have nothing to do with the risen Christ or the gift of forgiveness.

It really is no secret that at Christmas Jesus is often buried under the snow and wrappings of the season, and at Easter, the cute, cuddly bunnies and egg hunts push Jesus to the side lines. If we want these two holy seasons to be spiritually uplifting and meaningful for us, we need to be intentional about finding and then focusing on Jesus.

Let me invite you to start each day with a simple prayer asking Jesus to be visible to you that day. Look for him in the newness of this spring season, in the eyes of those you love, in the acts of kindness you see that reveal God's working through others. Read the Easter stories in the Bible and ponder them. Pray before you sleep each night. And don't forget to worship. Come to church or watch the services on YouTube or CTV. Don't miss Jesus this Easter Season!

May God bless you.

Rev. Wendy Paterson
Pastoral Care Coordinator