Page 35 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Spring 2021 - Online Magazine
P. 35
Focus
FAMILY
Traditions
Easter and Passover
by Barbara Mandry
amily traditions reinforce a match. Carol Payne sweet fellowship. I
family’s culture and values. fondly recalled, would agree with
FThe spring holidays of Easter “Mom made our our Emma. No
and Passover are particularly dresses always with secular elements
associated with traditional family a prettier fabric … take our focus off
values. Next to Christmas, these she was an excellent the true meaning
two religious holidays lend seamstress, so I got of Passover, the
themselves to more meaningful lace somewhere on deliverance of God’s
family traditions. The traditions my dress … usually people.
observed with Easter and Passover spring-type white, so
have ingrained themselves in we could wear it all The COVID-19
families, some for thousands of summer.” global pandemic has
years. Scripture even encourages really challenged
these observances with commands Other Easter family families who cherish
from God such as “celebrate … traditions included traditions. This past
tell your children … remember.” sharing the Bible story with the year, our family had to celebrate
(Exodus 12:14, 24; Deuteronomy plastic symbols in the Resurrection Easter and Passover separately,
6:12) Eggs or reading scripture. Some without all the extended family
families always watch a special members present. But we still
Both religious observances Easter video or movie together. celebrated. For the first time,
have a long and rich heritage. Some created and decorated individual families drove to a
In preparation for this article, Easter trees. Church-wide or cotton field in the country, parked
I interviewed several families. community Easter egg hunts or and watched the Easter sunrise
I asked young and old about Easter parades were fun family “together.” It was beautiful! Our
their Easter or Passover family events. Eating a special holiday son-in-law read the Easter story
traditions. The one consistent meal at grandparent’s homes was a over a cell phone conference call,
answer I heard over and over was tradition for many. and we sang traditional Easter
how remembering what GOD hymns. We sent air hugs and
has done, plus worship or church In our family, sharing a Messianic kisses through our car windows.
service attendance, made these Passover service and Seder meal It was one of the most meaningful
two holidays meaningful. Four- is one of our oldest traditions. Our Easters we have observed. Our
year-old Kaston quickly answered grandchildren have never known granddaughter, Matti, declared
when asked what he remembers spring without a family Passover. that this was now our new family
about Easter. “It’s when Jesus When I asked our seventeen-year- tradition. That’s often how
died.” Of course, he also enjoyed old granddaughter, Emma, what traditions begin – a meaningful
sharing about the family tradition she loved most about Passover, family activity that warrants
of decorating and hunting Easter she replied, “It’s all about Jesus.” repeating.
eggs. Whether Christian or Jewish,
Passover traditions involve Whatever your holiday traditions,
Most senior family members have family and food. They are joyous the bonding experiences that
memories of attending church celebrations of what God has done. make your family unique are
and wearing new Easter clothes. The traditional Passover meal is worth continuing. Traditions and
The senior ladies I interviewed very much the same for both faiths. memories provide a source of
especially remembered new patent- We love the challenge of preparing identity and a secure feeling of
leather shoes, a new hat (Easter foods without leaven. Our family belonging. Cherish yours.
Bonnet) and gloves and a purse to enjoys the symbolism, reading, and
Amarillo Senior Link 35
