Jeremiah 31:3-6 (CEV)
Some time ago, the LORD appeared to me and told me to say: Israel, I will always love you; that's why I've been so patient and kind. You are precious to me, and so I will rebuild your nation. Once again you will dance for joy and play your tambourines. You will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria and enjoy the grapes. Someday those who guard the hill country of Ephraim will shout, "Let's go to Zion and worship the LORD our God."
Holiday celebrations don't erase the junk in life. You can't always just walk onto the set of a holiday gathering, turn off regular life and turn on the family-ready face of perfect life. Sometimes holidays can be ignored in times of trouble, sometimes regular days can turn into holidays in times of joy. But a celebration isn't meant to stand apart from real life.
Holiday celebrations don't erase the junk in life. Accept this one's entire purpose is just that. Easter. Easter is actually not about rabbits, colorful eggs, or chocolate. I don't know if you knew that. Easter is about celebrating the resurrection of Christ Jesus. And he died and rose in order to conquer our sins, to receive the punishment that we deserve so that we can be fully forgiven. So for this one holiday, I'm okay with celebrating amidst the junk of life. I'm not going to pretend that all is well, that I have life under control, that I don't need saving.
Again there will be joy. I will dance again. That's the point.
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