Yes, it’s one of the great times of the year. Spring begins, with all of its implications. As we make the home stretch to Easter, I wanted to make a list of the best things about this Lenten Season.
1) It’s hard to beat Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins, experiencing the punishment of hell in our place, and defeating death so we can experience the forgiveness of God and eternal life beginning now and ultimately in heaven. And what have YOU done lately?
2) For 40 days before Easter, the Greek Orthodox church has people greet each other with “Kristos Anesti” (“Christ has risen”) with which we answer “Alethos Anesti” (Indeed He is risen”). As my dad used to say, “It’s fantastic; you even do it if you HATE the guy!”
3) Gotta love Lent, which means “a long period of time.” Giving up something for the 40 days leading up to Good Friday. Sometimes our family has given up chocolate, music, TV. This year I gave up internet news. My wife always offers to give up one thing for Lent, but I tell her it has to be something that she craves. ‘Nuff said.
4) PASSOVER! Let my people go! Moses parting the Red Sea! Affikomen and Elijah coming to visit. Hey, we’ve only been celebrating it for over 5700 years, but who’s counting?
5) Movies-Especially ones with Charlton Heston: Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, King of Kings, Jesus of Nazareth, The Robe, Quo Vadis…
6) Pastels! Easter Bonnets! Fred Astaire singing in a movie on 5th Avenue!
7) Our house is decorated with Easter reminders from all over the world; Ukrainian painted eggs, Greek Orthodox Icons, Chinese wood carvings, Peruvian Retablos. Glorious art!
8) Spring means Spring Training in Baseball. Every team has a chance! Everyone has hope! Even Cubs fans! For a short time, at least.
9) Easter Eggs! Jelly Beans! Marshmallow filled chocolate bunnies!
10) Blossoms blooming on fruit trees. Figs, peaches and apricots are just months away!
11) Flowers at church. Women look great in their hats.
12) Warm weather starts in the Mid West. Pale-skinned Nordics in Minnesota and Germans in Wisconsin come out of their caves seeing if they are finally granted sunshine again after 4 months of hibernation.
13) St. Patricks’ Day is in Spring! Did you know he was actually born in England, was captured by the Irish, escaped and felt so sorry for them that he went back and evangelized them. THAT is commitment.
14) Spring fever! Easter Break vacations to warmer climates. Maybe it will be warm enough to go camping somewhere already!
15) KRISTOS ANESTI!!!