Traditions help in remembering what Easter is about
"Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! - John 1:29 (NIV)
As the steam from a pot of potatoes boiling on the stove fogged up every window, the aroma of ham glazed with sweet brown sugar filled the air. This was among my childhood memories as my mother prepared our Easter dinner.
A lace tablecloth holding 10 to 12 place settings formed a border around the table. I enjoyed the task of laying the silver utensils and napkins beside each plate. Colorful serving bowls which were family heirlooms, filled the space toward the center of the table. One held the mashed potatoes, another held the salad, and a gravy boat was a treasured addition for many guests who loved to smother their mashed potatoes with gravy. At the very center of the table was the most adorned item, the lamb cake.
That lamb cake was my favorite thing. Each year I looked forward to its appearance on our holiday table. I was fascinated how the shapes and curves of the head, ears and nose and the covering of flaky, white, coconut caused this cake to resemble a lamb. Years later I began to understand the full meaning of its presence at our Easter feast.
The men and women of old brought their best lamb to be slain and sacrificed as an offering to God for the forgiveness of their sins. But on Friday before the first Easter morning, Jesus died on the cross, in place of the sacrificial lamb. On that first Easter God resurrected Jesus from the dead. This event signified there was no longer any need for the sacrifice of a lamb. From that day forward, by believing Jesus was slain for our sin we can receive forgiveness and eternal life in heaven with God. It's that simple, because Jesus was the sacrificial lamb God provided.
As we look forward to this Easter celebration and sharing our dinner with our treasured traditions, and those delicious lamb cakes, let's allow God's love to be at the heart of our table.
• Annettee Budzban is an author, inspirational speaker, life coach, and nurse. She can be contacted at AnnetteeBudzban@aol.com.