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Nancy Parker Brummett

Nancy Parker Brummett

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The Easter Cactus

March 23, 2016 by Nancy 14 Comments

Easter CactusMy Christmas cactus is blooming for Easter this year! The botanical explanation may be that we moved to a new house and it’s reacting to different light exposure. But a more sacred reason comes to mind whenever I gaze its way.

How appropriate that a Christmas cactus would bloom at Easter to remind us that the two holy celebrations are intrinsically connected…inseparable in fact. For Christians, Christmas and Easter only exist because of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who dwelled among us. Had He not come to earth, we would have no resurrection to celebrate. Had He not given Himself to die on the cross, we would have no reason to acknowledge His arrival. Without Easter, Christmas is just a materialistic season of overspending and overeating. Without Christmas, Easter is just an extravagant brunch with a lot of candy and brightly colored eggs. One loses all meaning without the other.Easter cactus with cross

Is there value in gathering together with friends and family over the Christmas season to exchange gifts and restore relationships? Of course there is. Is there value in rejoicing in the arrival of spring and celebrating all that’s fresh and new with fluffy chicks and rabbits? Of course there is.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to decorate for Christmas. I also love rabbits, and have decorative ones all over my house at Easter time. The danger is in letting all the trappings of either holiday obscure the message that can transform us not twice a year, but each day and forever.Easter rabbit

Nowhere is that message more clearly stated than in God’s Word and by Jesus Himself. In John 3:16-17 Jesus taught, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Always clear about His mission, Jesus comforted his grieving friend Martha by saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lies and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

He was sent in love. He died in love. He was resurrected and lives forever. And because He lives, so do those who believe in Him. It’s as simple as that. Jesus Christ always was and always will be. Christmas and Easter are merely the bookends of His sinless earthly life, but to celebrate one without the other makes no sense at all.Easter cactus closeup

My Christmas cactus is so grateful for life that it just had to bloom this Easter! May the same be said of us. Have a joyful Easter—and look for opportunities to bloom!

Filed Under: Back Porch Break Tagged With: celebrations, Christmas cactus, Easter, holidays, Jesus Christ, rabbits, Resurrection

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy Fitz says

    March 24, 2016 at 8:46 am

    Thanks for those wonderful thoughts, that Because He lives, we can face tomorrow with joy unspeakable and full of Glory!!! Celebrating the Hope Easter represents!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      March 24, 2016 at 10:39 am

      Yes, Kathy! And all God’s people said AMEN!

      Reply
  2. Shar says

    March 24, 2016 at 9:37 am

    Mine is blooming too and I am not in a new house! Now I have an idea why thanks to your wise words, Nancy. Happy Easter?

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      March 24, 2016 at 10:40 am

      Wow, glad to know it’s not just happening here. Strengthens the message. Happy Easter to you, too, Shar!

      Reply
  3. Jan Keller says

    March 24, 2016 at 10:25 am

    Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Easter Blessings to you and your family!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      March 24, 2016 at 10:41 am

      Jan, our doorbell has been playing “O Come Let Us Adore Him” since Christmas. Thanks for the reminder that we don’t need to change it yet! Blessings to you and yours, too!

      Reply
  4. Elizabeth Van Liere says

    March 24, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    Once again, thank you, Nancy. Your thoughts are always so welcome. Happy Easter to you.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      March 24, 2016 at 12:35 pm

      A blessed and happy Easter to you, too, Betty! Thank you.

      Reply
  5. Marylin Warner says

    March 24, 2016 at 7:55 pm

    Three blossoms appeared on mine yesterday (just a bright surprise while the snow whipped around outside), and this morning two more were opening. And now your lovely post.
    Maybe you have a blessed, joyous Easter, Nancy.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      March 25, 2016 at 11:25 am

      They seem to be blooming all over town! Thanks for sharing, Marylin!

      Reply
  6. alice ferguson says

    March 25, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    right on…LOVE!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      March 28, 2016 at 4:07 pm

      Thanks, Alice. Love YOU!

      Reply
  7. Beth Lueders says

    March 26, 2016 at 11:04 pm

    Nancy, THANK YOU for this poignant reminder of the beauty of Christmas and Easter—God’s love through Jesus who has risen indeed!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      March 28, 2016 at 4:08 pm

      Thanks, Beth! He has risen indeed!!

      Reply

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