Here we are at April and we think spring is here to stay – but we have been fooled before. Easter is early this year, and I can remember as a kid playing with a cousin out in the snow on Easter – hopefully we won’t see that.
April is primarily a feminine given name of a Latin origin meaning “to open” which is very symbolic of what we think of spring. We think of the new buds on trees, of the grass beginning to turn green, of ice-covered lakes opening up and of course April showers so that we can have May flowers. Back to the Latin origin, it refers to the opening of nature during springtime.
During our Easter season, we can relate these meanings to our celebration of our Lord’s resurrection on Easter morning. However, we don’t look at the opening of nature – we look at the opening of the tomb and finding it empty! I think we all have experienced the feeling of opening a gift box, a package, that tub of ice cream in the freezer and finding that it is empty! We don’t rejoice at that time and neither did the women who had come in the early hours of Easter morning. They were very concerned with where their Lord had been taken – but their concerns were soon to turn to celebration when they discovered that Jesus was with them still. In his human form, nail holes in his hands and the spear slice in his side.
At this time of spring, when we get back outdoors to enjoy the warmer weather with walks, bike rides, lawn work or just sitting on a deck taking in the new beginnings after the winter – let us take in all the wonder around us and take time to rejoice that our Savior died and rose again for us.
A proper prayer for spring – “As the sun rises, you are ever near us, risen Christ. We give you thanks and praise for your presence in all its surprising forms.” Let us truly revel and enjoy what God has done for us this Easter and every day of the year.
Just one of you in Christ - Ralph
