Page 67 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2021- Online Magazine

Focus
FAMILY
Traditions

Easter and Passover

by Barbara Mandry

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

THIS PAGE IS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY MANDRY TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
LUBBOCK OFFICE:
4521 98th St, Lubbock, TX 79424 | 806.791.3661 | www.mandrytechnology.com

Lubbock Senior Link 67