March is a great month as we celebrate Lent, Purim and the first day of spring. We’ve got a lot to celebrate this year! And, while I’m not of the Jewish faith (although there is rumored to be Tribal blood running through my veins), Purim is an essential holiday for all of us to at least acknowledge and appreciate, if not to celebrate
I’ve listed some reasons why these holidays, usually so overlooked in light of biggies like Christmas, Thanksgiving and Arbor Day, are to be opportunities for celebration.
- The preparation for Easter, meaning Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday (which was February 13) and the subsequent 40
days, is a ritual my family and I always appreciate. For Catholics, the putting on of ash to your forehead serves as a reminder that you’re body one day returns to dust (until the resurrection) keeping your life in perspective, particularly when you get upset by that guy who cut you off in traffic.
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Lent! It literally means “a long time period.” During this time, pilgrims of Orthodox or Catholic backgrounds give up something to remind them of Christ’s sacrifice. It’s fun to sit around the table and discuss what you’re going to give up. It’s good for the soul to go without something for awhile, and hopefully realize that you didn’t need that thing anyway. Success is not how much you have, but how little you need. - –
- For the 40 days of lent, in the Greek Orthodox culture, we greet each other (“even if ya can’t stand da guy,” as my dad would say with his Philly accent) with “Christos Anesti” (Christ is risen) and the person would answer “Alethos Anesti” (He’s
risen indeed). Hard to beat that for a way to say hi! Also, the scene from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” when Ian Miller wishes his future Father In Law a happy “Christos Anesti” is still the best summary of our ethno centricity! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FukDxPYDbC8 - –
- I have gone on a number of medical mission trips to Ethiopia. While not well known in America, there are Coptic Christians (kind of like Orthodox) who celebrate
Easter with a special “Lent Diet.” In Egypt they make this bread that is a hint of heaven. They have special gluten free “injera” bread with these DELICIOUS vegetable additions. Another gift from the God of love. - –
- Pruning trees, watching the them bud and blossom, giving a sign of hope for the next year. Also, in this day of rush rush rush, there’s something refreshing about knowing you cannot hurry while
pruning trees. Every clip is a careful clip of trimming back unnecessary wood in order to allow fresh fruit and flowers to come forth, and say, “We’re here to bless you.” I just finished pruning my 18 trees and applying my “black gold” of mulch I’ve been brewing for the past 6 months to the base for nutrients. Ah! The cycle of the seasons! BTW-coffee grounds create a GREAT compost, making Starbucks my go-to place at the end of the day, and probably the only one that doesn’t drink anything there. - –
- I love playing music to get me into the mood for Easter during Lent. Classics by Bach like St. Matthew’s Passion or St. Johns Passion are gorgeously meditative pieces. More
modern compositions by Arvo Part include “I Am the True Vine” which is a hint of heaven - –
- Decorating the office and home with Easter themes is a wonderful ritual. Icons, statues and Retablos from all the world that depict scenes of Christ’s last week. Gorgeous Peruvian dioramas, mystical Greek Icons, tacky statues and paintings,
timeless Armenian tiles. We’ve got them all over the house and office, and they definitely liven things up. - –
- If you ever read the Bible, attended a Sunday School service or know a bit of Jewish history, Purim is the time of celebrating Esther’s
saving the Jewish people from the evil official Haman, who was trying to have all of the Persian Jews killed. It’s a thrilling story of courage, loyalty and faith in a sovereign God. And of course there is food involved in the celebration!
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- Let’s not forget that March also usually features Spring
Training, where every baseball team still has a chance to win the World Series This year, they’ve added some new rules to try to get the game more interesting. Maybe ballplayers will make the game as interesting it was when I was a kid. MIracles still happen! 
CHRISTOS ANESTI!