For the North Americans – it’s Spring Break. For the South Americans – it’s Fall Break. Easter week is always in the fall. That means cooler weather, beautiful - not humid days. When I was a kid, there were ideas or activities that described Easter: Christ’s resurrection, a glorious new hope, salvation, an Easter program at church, sunrise services, breakfast/brunch at church, new flowery dresses, chocolate, coloring Easter eggs…new life, new hopes, winter’s over - spring is here, and CHRIST IS RISEN!
Things are different in Paraguay. Could it be the religious traditions, the culture, the Fall Season? Talk is all about Christ’s death, his suffering, and the cross. There are pilgrimages in different areas of the country. Large crowds of people gather to walk up steep and stony hills with crosses on their backs, crying, mourning and weeping the death of the Savior…representing Christ’s suffering for all humanity. There is a week of fasting from meat, then a final party with meat, chipa and family gatherings.
Yesterday, Sunday, people were all walking with beautifully, braided, decorated palms in their hands. Palm Sunday…the palms are blessed and hung in doorways for a year’s protection from the evil spirits and “Pombero” (a mythical, Guarani, superstitious character).
People would stop at our door, non-stop, looking for cheese to buy. Chipa (cheese bread) for Easter is as famous as Christmas cookies for Christmas. Every household concentrates on making extras to share and give away. Chipa is a MUST for Paraguayans at Easter time.
Most holidays and traditions are celebrated so differently in each culture. I prefer the beautiful hope of Salvation and resurrection to the sadness of Christ’s death and his suffering. I prefer the early morning glory, hope, and life celebrated on Easter Sunday (and every day in my life) to my dark, gloomy, depressive sin that Christ took upon himself. Even though holidays and traditions are celebrated differently all over the world, I am thankful for the biblical truths of hope and freedom from this earthly life.
Happy Easter!
4 comments:
I never thought about celebrating Easter in the fall. It seems "normal" in the spring, but the message is exactly the same, no matter what the season.
And here, sometimes I think we don't spend very much time thinking about the depth of the sacrifice Jesus made--we hurry to "Up from the Grave He Arose".
Well, I pray that our hearts are soft and we understand again the great love Jesus has for us and the immense hope He offers.
I know what you mean, it's just that here Easter a little dark, dreary and a little superstitious. I don't really like the happy-go-lucky Easter bunny either.
I am thankful for salvation. I am thankful for OUR hope of a resurrection. I am thankful for the freedom of bondage and death. And...oh...there are so many still in bondage!
How interesting.
We spent a Christmas in your 100 degree weather, but I never thought of our risen Savior in anything but the bright springtime Ohio offers, with crocuses, tulips, spring flowers showing the newness of life. Even the new tree leaves and apple blossoms, longer, sunnier days--all are a reminder of the end of the dreariness of winter and a new hope for things to come.
Even though we need to remember the suffering and sorrow that Jesus so willingly went through for us, it gives me great joy to be able to sing from the bottom of my heart, "Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow".....and every other day! Just the knowledge that we serve a LIVING Saviour gives strength to those who serve Him. Have a very blessed Easter season!
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