From the Pastor's Desk: April 2010

January 2010 February 2010 March 2010

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

When we think of giving gifts, we usually think about Christmas gifts or Birthdays gifts. Sometimes we even think about gifts for retirement or anniversaries, but how about giving gifts at Easter? Th ere are the new outfits we wear to church on Easter. But other than hiding an Easter basket or Egg hunts for the children to find, where are the gifts?

We give gifts to our secretary on Secretary's/Administrative Assistant's Day (April 21 this year) or to our bosses on Boss' Day (in October). We give gifts for graduation and Confirmation, but where are those Easter gifts?

The great question always asked of a preacher is, "What is the most important holiday?" Well, we really like Christmas and the time leading up to it, which is filled with lots of holiday parties and then the big night itself, followed by the opening of gifts on Christmas Day. Easter, on the other hand, has a period of time that is dark and reflective, then you get to Holy Week and it's a time of ultimate sadness. Th en comes Easter morning and what do we do? We go to church, pass out some candy (maybe) and then go and have a family meal. Where are those gifts we get to open? In fact, what gifts?

On the surface, it sounds like Christmas is the big winner. When polled, the researchers always find Christmas as the biggest holiday. In fact, the two biggest shopping days are connected with Christmas. The real answer to the question, however, is Easter! There is only one gift given on Easter Day, and it is the same for every single person. It's the Gift that keeps on Giving: our Salvation, given to us by God through the resurrection of God's son, Jesus Christ.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life." (John 3:16)

May you have a blessed Easter Season and enjoy the Gift that will last a lifetime.

Blessings,