February 9th sees the start of Lent as a time of preparation for Easter. We spend so much time and effort preparing for Christmas, but Easter can sometimes go by without much real thought. So Lent gives us all an opportunity and time to reflect and think about Easter. It is a time to think about all that God has given to each one of us through Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross for us and His Resurrection to life. And as we do this our feelings of Easter may begin to become like Nicole the child in the story below, as told by her father.

A Child’s version of the meaning of Easter
Our three year old, Nicole, was as anxious for Easter to come as she had been for Christmas to come. Since my wife was expecting our third child in just a few weeks, many people were giving us baby gifts since this was our first child in this church. Nicole had picked out a new dress and Mom had given her a new white bonnet. As we stopped at a store to buy her a new pair of shoes to go with her outfit, she once again said, “I can’t wait for Easter, Daddy!” I asked her. “Do you know what Easter means, honey?” She replied, “Yes.” “Well, what does Easter mean?” In her own sweet three year old way, with arms raised, a smile on her face, and at the top of her voice she said, “Surprise!”
What better word could sum up the meaning of Easter! Surprise, death! Surprise, sin! Surprise, mourning disciples! Surprise, modern man! Jesus is alive!