It was a typical Easter celebration holiday in the Mahan household. The warm delicious smell of a glazed ham baking, mixed with the funky smell of boiled eggs, was drifting through the house. Outside the trees were budding, flowers were blooming and the pollen dancing in the air was thick. As we gathered in the kitchen chatting and nibbling, the door bell rang and in walked our next door neighbor of seven years.
Cradling his Styrofoam cup filled with scotch on the rocks, he waltzed into the middle of our kitchen. A few “hello’s” and “hey there’s” were exchanged along with the traditional greeting “Happy Easter.” No sooner had this come out of my mouth, than a somewhat distorted history lesson came out of his.
Accustomed to his demanding, at times intelligent, scotch relaxed conversation’s, our beloved neighbor once again held us hostage. Unbeknownst to Hubs and I, along with our then newly married son, his wife and our teenage daughter, he uninhibitedly told us that we shouldn’t say Happy Easter, as it represents the celebration of the penis, and…. that the word Easter originates from the name Ester the fertility goddess. As he spilled this all out in a somewhat rushed slur, my eyes locked with our wide eyed teenage daughter as she stood with mouth gaping open. Unable to move my eyes to anyone else, I could hear muffled fake cough’s with chuckles coming from the groom and his bride.
Protection mode kicked in, but unfortunately not soon enough. I interrupted with a forcefully polite “can I fix you a plate!?” not waiting for his reply, I marched him a little backwards to the door. He kept talking and Hubs kept listening. I assured him as I moved him sideways through the doorway that we didn’t celebrate that part of history, and that I’d bring his plate over a little later, to which I did. Before I shut the door, I affirmed and defended my position by saying “Halleluiah Christ has Risen!!”. For a second I stood silent facing the closed door. From the kitchen came silence, until I rounded the corner and all hysteria broke loose. This indeed was the worst and most memorable Easter celebration our family has experienced (so far).
Today, as I choose to share our experience, I want to share how grateful I am now that we had this experience. I wasn’t so grateful then and actually harbored anger towards my neighbor. Besides Hubs, my neighbor also knows how to push my buttons. On my journey to becoming stirred not shaken I am learning to love those who offend me without becoming angry at them, as well as working harder at not being offended by everything people say. Because of this intentional journey myself and my family can enjoy celebrating Easter, the Passover feast, last supper, and the crucifixion and resurrection while our focus and gratitude rest on this: Our Savior Jesus coming to die in our place, taking on all the sin of the world, burying it forever and covering it with the Grace of God. As he died and rose again ascending into Heaven, we too have the promise of eternal life as we accept and believe in Jesus.
Join me today…..on this stirred not shaken journey. I also warmly invite you to join me in believing and celebrating the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ the son of God. I encourage you to read Luke chapter’s 21-24. I would love to hear from you any time with your thoughts or questions, just email me …… juliemahan63@yahoo.com
I also read this explanation which somewhat supported our neighbors conversation.. there are several other resources out there
http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-easter