He chuckled as he pulled the door closed behind him. We had gone into that bedroom far too many times since bedtime, so a chuckle was an odd noise for me to hear. I wouldn’t have bat an eye at a sigh or a grumble in frustration. But a chuckle in the midst of the bedtime battle was remarkable.
“He’s confused,” my husband told me as he tiptoed down the hall. “And it is so cute.”
Confused? About what?
“Easter. He is getting Jesus and the Easter Bunny mixed up. He keeps saying ‘Jesus is coming!'”
‘Twas the night before Easter and all through the house…
Depending on the way you look at it, Easter can seem funny. Cameron had even remarked on the ridiculousness earlier that day.
“It’s going to be Easter Day and there’s going to be treats and I’m going to get treats and Mommy’s going to get treats and Daddy’s going to get treats and Gabin’s going to get treats and the Easter Bunny is going great to come and hide Easter eggs! … … That’s so silly! ”
I am so proud of that boy.
We like to mix our secular holidays with our religious ones in this house. This is probably more my husband’s doing, but it is fun to be a part of. Still, I always wonder if my children would be able to fall a little deeper into their faith foundation if the mystery of each holiday wasn’t found in fairy tales and untruths and an abundance of stuff, but if it was rooted instead in the things that faith is made of; Old stories and traditions and miracles.
Maybe my three year old has it all worked out after all. Sure the Easter Bunny comes with chocolate and games and new pajamas. But on the night before Easter, in the middle of that dark, cold night, the Easter Bunny is all fluff and silliness. What is really important is not who is hopping around the corner, but who is leaping from the grave, bringing light and life and a morning to the darkness.
If I want my son to believe in anything, I think I know which one I’d choose. And I am so glad that it was that story he focused on this Easter. He wasn’t confused. Not at all.
Jesus is coming. Alleluia.
Very sweet, Laura. And well said.
Kristin Shaw (Two Cannoli) recently posted..Dear Future Daughter-in-Law
Thank you so much Kristin! :)
Laura recently posted..Easter Confusion
First, I love that face! Joy, excitement and a little bit of “I scored!”
Second, that’s a beautiful way to express your wishes for his faith. And also a lovely way to celebrate.
Robin | Farewell, Stranger recently posted..I’m Turning Into Jennifer Aniston
Kids know better than us, I swear.
Alison recently posted..My Body Spoke Up
I enjoyed this post. I have been unsure what to do about the Easter Bunny. We let it slide this year because we had other family staying with us but I know next year it will be more of a discussion. I cringed a little every time someone asked the kids about the Easter Bunny.
Christopher recently posted..Yesterday’s Breakfast
I have no problem making religious holidays secular because they see our faith on a daily basis, but this year I thought it was time to give a little message about Jesus amidst the chocolate.
Your son is adorable!
Lady Jennie recently posted..Life in the Trenches – Chapter 13
I don’t mind the secular messages, most of the time. We’re still figuring out the role of religion in our lives (and faith itself, too, I guess). But I struggled a little with Easter this year. It’s my daughter’s favorite holiday because she loves finding the eggs and talking about Jesus, and it’s been very simple for us for the last few years. This year my parents and in-laws (we have Easter brunch together) bought the kids a pretty substantial pile of gifts. As soon as she saw those, all focus on simplicity and religion was forgotten, and that made me really sad. I don’t understand why they felt the need to commercialize it so, and I worry it was about outdoing each other a little. (Seriously. My in-laws obviously spent a substantial amount more than they did on the kids’ birthdays.) Anyway, I don’t mean to write a whole blog post in response to your post, but I get it. I hope we can bring it back to its original meaning next year.
angela recently posted..And Then I Found You – A Review
So cute! I think about this sometimes, too, and it reminds me of my childhood. I learned all of the stories of Christmas and Easter at Sunday school, and welcomed visits from Santa and the Easter bunny. So I have a feeling that that’s how my kids will think, too…..enjoying the fun, but knowing why we celebrate in the first place.
Greta @gfunkified recently posted..Great Expectations: Time Crafted
Laura this is so perfect and speaks such truth that it brings tears to my eyes. We try very, very hard at our house to make sure our kids know the REASON we are celebrating a holiday and what it is really about. I know as they get older they will understand more and more, but I truly hope they carry with them the truth. Jesus is coming indeed!
Jennifer recently posted..Kids and Video Games
What lovely words and Knowing, Laura.
Galit Breen recently posted..An Interview With Glennon of Momestary!
Sweet boy. Jesus is coming! We went around Sunday at our Easter meal and asked the kids if they thought Jesus would be a good friend and why. It was so cute. My 5-year old was so confused and said, “but I would want my friend to be alive, not dead!” So we explained all the ways he IS alive. It was sweet. I *think* he sort of understood… :)
The girls got minimal Easter baskets this year but when the oldest asked, we told her mommy and daddy gave them to them. They saw daddy hiding the eggs. But they had fun. We were home sick so daddy did an age appropriate lesson about Jesus.
Charity recently posted..Easter was Quiet