Malcolm Potts April 5th 2015 ~ Easter

Easter!Where does the word come from?According to the venerable Bede, the very early British monk and historian, it harks back to an ancient Germanic goddess of Spring [Ostern]. Essentially she was a sun goddess, though others suggest it came from the Germanic root word for the dawn or the east, where the sun rose.Christians have been pinching pagan ideas for thousands of years - they take something from the current world that everyone understands and turn it to use for Christ.Today the reverse is happening. Christmas is being commercialised beyond recognition. Most folks I talk to say things like, “Christmas is for children.” Since when?Easter is the same. But it’s not just the pagans who struggle. I asked a group of Christian friends what Easter meant to them? Some of their responses included, and I quote: “That I am blessedly saved … and family”; and another, “Unfortunately not much – it’s so busy I forget what it is about”; and another, “Life – given, received and made new”; and another, “A conflicting mash of worldly deadlines and earth- shattering realisations of what God has done”; and another, “Love”; and another, “That we are saved”; and another, “Celebrating - and I love to celebrate”; and another, “Easter egg hunting with the grand kids”; and another, “A time of reflection”; and another, “Quiet time with the family”; and another, “Easter bonnets”; and another, “Church, celebration, family, with buns and chocolate”. Finally, “For as long as I can remember, it has meant work.”What do you think of at Easter?I was surprised not to hear what most people say: “Easter is a holiday. Christmas is for kids and Easter is a holiday, the last decent holiday before winter here in Australia.” I am tempted to be critical of that view. The greatest Christian festival, the crux of humankind’s salvation, the Son of God sacrificed to pay my price, has become the last decent holiday before winter!But the first Christians saw a real opportunity in a pagan festival that celebrated the rising of the sun, the hope of new life and a new beginning. They saw the truth that God’s one and only Son has risen; he brings hope of life beyond the toil of this life and offers all people a new beginning.If you are reading this and have connected with this community this Easter, we want you to know that this ancient Christian message is for you. How thrilled we are to share this greatest of Christian festivals with you.Every blessing,Malcolm Pottson behalf of the people of St Philips Church in Cottesloe