March 18, 2025
Church Chronicles: Reclaiming Easter: Celebrating Resurrection with Purpose
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Join Connie Morris in this enlightening episode of Church Chronicles by the Diary of a Black Woman as we delve deeper into realigning our perspective of Easter. Engage with thought-provoking discussions about setting aside worldly distractions and embracing a faith-driven celebration that honors Jesus’ resurrection.
Explore the origins of Easter symbols like the egg and the bunny and assess their relevance in Christian celebrations. Contemplate how you can cultivate Christ-centered traditions that truly reflect the essence of Resurrection Sunday.
Gain insights into practical steps for making Easter a profound personal testimony of faith. Whether it's through worship, sharing the gospel, or adopting new traditions, find ways to redirect the focus back to Jesus, who is alive and continues to redefine our lives with his eternal love and victory over death.
00:05 - Easter Reflections
02:49 - Cultural Practices and Separation
04:37 - Sharing the Good News
06:26 - The Power of New Life
07:06 - Evaluating Easter Traditions
WEBVTT
00:00:00.017 --> 00:00:04.997
Welcome back to Church Chronicles by the Diary of a Black Woman podcast.
00:00:05.437 --> 00:00:11.277
I'm your host, Connie Morris, and today we're wrapping up our series on Easter
00:00:11.277 --> 00:00:16.657
with an honest and reflective... I'm sorry, we're not wrapping it up. We got one more episode.
00:00:17.657 --> 00:00:20.177
So welcome to Church Chronicles with Diary of a Black Woman.
00:00:20.257 --> 00:00:25.397
I'm your host, Connie Morris, and I'm so glad you've joined me as we continue our series on Easter.
00:00:25.397 --> 00:00:29.597
In today's episode, we'll discuss how we can reclaim Easter,
00:00:30.137 --> 00:00:34.657
navigating pagan influences, and celebrating the true resurrection.
00:00:35.057 --> 00:00:40.757
This conversation is about setting aside distractions and reclaiming Easter
00:00:40.757 --> 00:00:47.097
as a time of authentic worship centered on Jesus' resurrection.
00:00:47.637 --> 00:00:53.997
Romans 6.4 reads from the NIV, we were therefore buried with him through baptism
00:00:53.997 --> 00:01:00.737
into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,
00:01:01.057 --> 00:01:03.037
we too may live a new life.
00:01:03.277 --> 00:01:07.677
The resurrection of Christ is the defining moment of our faith.
00:01:07.857 --> 00:01:16.277
It signifies victory over sin and death and offers new life. However, if.
00:01:17.152 --> 00:01:23.732
We're honest, many of our Easter traditions don't reflect the significance of this powerful truth.
00:01:23.952 --> 00:01:31.212
So let's reflect on how we can align our celebrations to fully honor Jesus.
00:01:31.932 --> 00:01:35.832
Number one, understanding the symbols and their origins.
00:01:36.132 --> 00:01:40.132
The egg and the bunny are commonly associated with Easter.
00:01:40.272 --> 00:01:46.132
We covered that in the last two episodes, but their origins lie in pagan fertility celebrations.
00:01:46.732 --> 00:01:52.532
These symbols were introduced as part of the blending of Christians and pagan traditions.
00:01:52.992 --> 00:02:00.772
While many of us grew up with these customs, it's essential to ask if they genuinely point us to Jesus.
00:02:01.292 --> 00:02:06.192
And I can say no, and maybe you can say yes, but we say what?
00:02:06.432 --> 00:02:10.112
We give you information, understanding the symbols and their origins.
00:02:10.352 --> 00:02:12.952
Does eggs and the bunny point you to Jesus?
00:02:14.132 --> 00:02:18.772
1 Peter 1, 15-16 from NIV.
00:02:19.032 --> 00:02:24.552
But just as he who called you is holy, so he is holy in all you do.
00:02:24.692 --> 00:02:28.712
For it is written, be ye holy because I am holy.
00:02:28.892 --> 00:02:32.792
Our worship should be set apart and reflect God's holiness.
00:02:33.172 --> 00:02:39.112
The question you ask yourself is, do the traditions we observe help us focus
00:02:39.112 --> 00:02:43.072
on Jesus, or do they distract us from the resurrection?
00:02:43.412 --> 00:02:49.352
Those are just questions you ask yourself. Am I focusing on Jesus, or am I distracted?
00:02:49.912 --> 00:02:54.692
Number two, the call to separate from cultural practices.
00:02:55.072 --> 00:03:01.692
2 Corinthians 6.17, the Bible calls us to come out from among them and be separate.
00:03:02.132 --> 00:03:08.972
Separation doesn't mean rejecting joy or celebration. It means ensuring that we celebrate.
00:03:10.532 --> 00:03:16.312
Our celebration honors God. By choosing to focus on truth of the resurrection,
00:03:16.312 --> 00:03:22.752
we testify to the power of Christ's victory over sin. Excuse me.
00:03:23.892 --> 00:03:27.452
Get a drink of water here. Practical steps for Christ-centered Easter.
00:03:27.772 --> 00:03:32.552
You want to always focus on worship. Begin Easter celebration,
00:03:32.832 --> 00:03:36.512
or what we call here Resurrection Sunday celebration, with prayer,
00:03:36.772 --> 00:03:38.012
praise, and scripture reading.
00:03:38.412 --> 00:03:43.052
Share the resurrection story. It is about Jesus. It is about him.
00:03:43.552 --> 00:03:49.072
He's alive, right? So read the resurrection and counseling the gospel with as,
00:03:50.001 --> 00:03:54.801
With family and friends. And then three, create faith-based traditions.
00:03:55.481 --> 00:03:59.521
Replace egg hunts with activities that point to Jesus, such as resurrection
00:03:59.521 --> 00:04:02.621
scavenger hunts that focus on the scripture.
00:04:03.501 --> 00:04:09.061
Excuse me. Use scripture-based symbols, incorporating symbols like the empty
00:04:09.061 --> 00:04:13.121
cross or empty tombs as reminders of Jesus' resurrection.
00:04:13.401 --> 00:04:17.701
So also about all this is the saying is like making it about Jesus,
00:04:17.701 --> 00:04:19.361
Make it about his resurrection.
00:04:19.701 --> 00:04:24.581
Make him about the tomb is empty. So how can you make Easter celebration more
00:04:24.581 --> 00:04:26.761
meaningful and focused on Christ?
00:04:26.961 --> 00:04:31.901
That's something you do, create new memories for your family and even for you.
00:04:32.001 --> 00:04:36.381
How can I make this resurrection day more about Jesus?
00:04:37.421 --> 00:04:40.941
Number three, you want to share the good news. It is about him, right?
00:04:41.201 --> 00:04:44.881
It's not about the eggs, not about the bunny, the chocolate bunnies they sell.
00:04:44.881 --> 00:04:52.681
Well, Easter provides, Resurrection Day provides an incredible opportunity to share the gospel.
00:04:53.061 --> 00:04:59.861
When we remove distractions and focus on Jesus, our celebration becomes powerful testimonies.
00:05:00.001 --> 00:05:03.921
Whether through conversations, social gatherings, or acts of worship,
00:05:04.201 --> 00:05:07.901
we can use this time to point others to Christ.
00:05:08.481 --> 00:05:13.461
Matthew 28, 6-7 from the NIV reads, He is not here.
00:05:13.701 --> 00:05:19.481
He has risen. Just as he said, come and see the place where he lay.
00:05:19.741 --> 00:05:25.341
Then go quickly and tell his disciples, he has risen from the dead and is going
00:05:25.341 --> 00:05:27.101
ahead of you into Galilee.
00:05:27.341 --> 00:05:30.521
There you will see him. The angel was clear.
00:05:30.781 --> 00:05:37.241
Jesus' resurrection is something to be shared. I love that. He is not here.
00:05:37.421 --> 00:05:41.081
He has risen from the dead.
00:05:41.341 --> 00:05:49.521
So we know from this story in Matthew 28, verse 6-7, that Jesus is alive.
00:05:51.046 --> 00:05:57.426
And so Resurrection Day is about Jesus being alive. It's not about eggs.
00:05:58.326 --> 00:06:03.086
It's not about bunnies. It's about Jesus being alive.
00:06:03.486 --> 00:06:06.226
So by reclaiming Easter, removing
00:06:06.226 --> 00:06:10.046
unnecessary distractions, what are those unnecessary distractions?
00:06:10.406 --> 00:06:17.026
Distractions that take you away from the focus on Jesus, that we can make it
00:06:17.026 --> 00:06:22.606
a time of a true reflection and worship of Jesus. Amen.
00:06:23.266 --> 00:06:26.406
The resurrection isn't just a historical event.
00:06:26.426 --> 00:06:32.706
It's a reminder that we have a new life in Christ and a call to live that truth out every day.
00:06:32.986 --> 00:06:39.946
He's just not risen from the dead. He's alive right now and he's living on the inside of us.
00:06:40.506 --> 00:06:45.786
God is not dead. He is alive. That is something to celebrate.
00:06:46.046 --> 00:06:48.826
That shows us that we have a future.
00:06:49.126 --> 00:06:50.946
We have a present.
00:06:51.606 --> 00:06:57.286
Things are great in our lives because our God is not dead.
00:06:57.606 --> 00:07:03.446
He's not an idol that can't breathe, can't talk. We have a God that's alive.
00:07:03.846 --> 00:07:06.086
Amen. So it is something to celebrate.
00:07:06.566 --> 00:07:12.146
So this week, take some time to evaluate how you celebrate this particular day,
00:07:12.146 --> 00:07:16.446
Whether you call it Resurrection Day or whether you call it Easter,
00:07:16.606 --> 00:07:19.666
what kind of traditions are you going to leave behind?
00:07:20.286 --> 00:07:24.746
What changes can you make to ensure that this is Christ-centered?
00:07:25.686 --> 00:07:31.766
How can you share the message of resurrection with someone who needs to hear it?
00:07:32.330 --> 00:07:35.450
That's powerful, right? How can you share the story?
00:07:36.390 --> 00:07:41.090
How can you share the story? Usually on this particular day,
00:07:41.350 --> 00:07:42.850
people make delicious dinners.
00:07:43.090 --> 00:07:48.650
Even having a large dinner and inviting a friend over and sharing your story
00:07:48.650 --> 00:07:50.970
about Christ would be powerful.
00:07:51.750 --> 00:07:55.890
So in our next episode, we'll wrap up this series with an exploration of the
00:07:55.890 --> 00:08:00.870
ongoing debate about Easter origins, how we can navigate the different perspectives
00:08:00.870 --> 00:08:05.070
with grace. We don't want to leave people.
00:08:05.550 --> 00:08:09.930
We always want to walk with grace. You know, we want to give people time to
00:08:09.930 --> 00:08:15.090
just, this is why I just don't kind of give you a lot of heavy information,
00:08:15.670 --> 00:08:22.270
just enough information to make you think, but to draw you back to God.
00:08:22.570 --> 00:08:27.750
That's all the whole purpose of this podcast is to give you information and
00:08:27.750 --> 00:08:30.470
to always draw you back to God.
00:08:30.610 --> 00:08:34.230
Sometimes it's hard truths, you know, but it's real.
00:08:34.470 --> 00:08:39.830
It's real truth. And so I want to thank you, always want to thank you for joining
00:08:39.830 --> 00:08:46.550
me today and always on, especially for Church Chronicles by the Diary of Black Women.
00:08:46.790 --> 00:08:49.650
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review,
00:08:49.850 --> 00:08:52.390
and share with someone who may need encouragement.
00:08:52.750 --> 00:08:56.310
Until next time in our final episode, be blessed.
00:00:00.017 --> 00:00:04.997
Welcome back to Church Chronicles by the Diary of a Black Woman podcast.
00:00:05.437 --> 00:00:11.277
I'm your host, Connie Morris, and today we're wrapping up our series on Easter
00:00:11.277 --> 00:00:16.657
with an honest and reflective... I'm sorry, we're not wrapping it up. We got one more episode.
00:00:17.657 --> 00:00:20.177
So welcome to Church Chronicles with Diary of a Black Woman.
00:00:20.257 --> 00:00:25.397
I'm your host, Connie Morris, and I'm so glad you've joined me as we continue our series on Easter.
00:00:25.397 --> 00:00:29.597
In today's episode, we'll discuss how we can reclaim Easter,
00:00:30.137 --> 00:00:34.657
navigating pagan influences, and celebrating the true resurrection.
00:00:35.057 --> 00:00:40.757
This conversation is about setting aside distractions and reclaiming Easter
00:00:40.757 --> 00:00:47.097
as a time of authentic worship centered on Jesus' resurrection.
00:00:47.637 --> 00:00:53.997
Romans 6.4 reads from the NIV, we were therefore buried with him through baptism
00:00:53.997 --> 00:01:00.737
into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,
00:01:01.057 --> 00:01:03.037
we too may live a new life.
00:01:03.277 --> 00:01:07.677
The resurrection of Christ is the defining moment of our faith.
00:01:07.857 --> 00:01:16.277
It signifies victory over sin and death and offers new life. However, if.
00:01:17.152 --> 00:01:23.732
We're honest, many of our Easter traditions don't reflect the significance of this powerful truth.
00:01:23.952 --> 00:01:31.212
So let's reflect on how we can align our celebrations to fully honor Jesus.
00:01:31.932 --> 00:01:35.832
Number one, understanding the symbols and their origins.
00:01:36.132 --> 00:01:40.132
The egg and the bunny are commonly associated with Easter.
00:01:40.272 --> 00:01:46.132
We covered that in the last two episodes, but their origins lie in pagan fertility celebrations.
00:01:46.732 --> 00:01:52.532
These symbols were introduced as part of the blending of Christians and pagan traditions.
00:01:52.992 --> 00:02:00.772
While many of us grew up with these customs, it's essential to ask if they genuinely point us to Jesus.
00:02:01.292 --> 00:02:06.192
And I can say no, and maybe you can say yes, but we say what?
00:02:06.432 --> 00:02:10.112
We give you information, understanding the symbols and their origins.
00:02:10.352 --> 00:02:12.952
Does eggs and the bunny point you to Jesus?
00:02:14.132 --> 00:02:18.772
1 Peter 1, 15-16 from NIV.
00:02:19.032 --> 00:02:24.552
But just as he who called you is holy, so he is holy in all you do.
00:02:24.692 --> 00:02:28.712
For it is written, be ye holy because I am holy.
00:02:28.892 --> 00:02:32.792
Our worship should be set apart and reflect God's holiness.
00:02:33.172 --> 00:02:39.112
The question you ask yourself is, do the traditions we observe help us focus
00:02:39.112 --> 00:02:43.072
on Jesus, or do they distract us from the resurrection?
00:02:43.412 --> 00:02:49.352
Those are just questions you ask yourself. Am I focusing on Jesus, or am I distracted?
00:02:49.912 --> 00:02:54.692
Number two, the call to separate from cultural practices.
00:02:55.072 --> 00:03:01.692
2 Corinthians 6.17, the Bible calls us to come out from among them and be separate.
00:03:02.132 --> 00:03:08.972
Separation doesn't mean rejecting joy or celebration. It means ensuring that we celebrate.
00:03:10.532 --> 00:03:16.312
Our celebration honors God. By choosing to focus on truth of the resurrection,
00:03:16.312 --> 00:03:22.752
we testify to the power of Christ's victory over sin. Excuse me.
00:03:23.892 --> 00:03:27.452
Get a drink of water here. Practical steps for Christ-centered Easter.
00:03:27.772 --> 00:03:32.552
You want to always focus on worship. Begin Easter celebration,
00:03:32.832 --> 00:03:36.512
or what we call here Resurrection Sunday celebration, with prayer,
00:03:36.772 --> 00:03:38.012
praise, and scripture reading.
00:03:38.412 --> 00:03:43.052
Share the resurrection story. It is about Jesus. It is about him.
00:03:43.552 --> 00:03:49.072
He's alive, right? So read the resurrection and counseling the gospel with as,
00:03:50.001 --> 00:03:54.801
With family and friends. And then three, create faith-based traditions.
00:03:55.481 --> 00:03:59.521
Replace egg hunts with activities that point to Jesus, such as resurrection
00:03:59.521 --> 00:04:02.621
scavenger hunts that focus on the scripture.
00:04:03.501 --> 00:04:09.061
Excuse me. Use scripture-based symbols, incorporating symbols like the empty
00:04:09.061 --> 00:04:13.121
cross or empty tombs as reminders of Jesus' resurrection.
00:04:13.401 --> 00:04:17.701
So also about all this is the saying is like making it about Jesus,
00:04:17.701 --> 00:04:19.361
Make it about his resurrection.
00:04:19.701 --> 00:04:24.581
Make him about the tomb is empty. So how can you make Easter celebration more
00:04:24.581 --> 00:04:26.761
meaningful and focused on Christ?
00:04:26.961 --> 00:04:31.901
That's something you do, create new memories for your family and even for you.
00:04:32.001 --> 00:04:36.381
How can I make this resurrection day more about Jesus?
00:04:37.421 --> 00:04:40.941
Number three, you want to share the good news. It is about him, right?
00:04:41.201 --> 00:04:44.881
It's not about the eggs, not about the bunny, the chocolate bunnies they sell.
00:04:44.881 --> 00:04:52.681
Well, Easter provides, Resurrection Day provides an incredible opportunity to share the gospel.
00:04:53.061 --> 00:04:59.861
When we remove distractions and focus on Jesus, our celebration becomes powerful testimonies.
00:05:00.001 --> 00:05:03.921
Whether through conversations, social gatherings, or acts of worship,
00:05:04.201 --> 00:05:07.901
we can use this time to point others to Christ.
00:05:08.481 --> 00:05:13.461
Matthew 28, 6-7 from the NIV reads, He is not here.
00:05:13.701 --> 00:05:19.481
He has risen. Just as he said, come and see the place where he lay.
00:05:19.741 --> 00:05:25.341
Then go quickly and tell his disciples, he has risen from the dead and is going
00:05:25.341 --> 00:05:27.101
ahead of you into Galilee.
00:05:27.341 --> 00:05:30.521
There you will see him. The angel was clear.
00:05:30.781 --> 00:05:37.241
Jesus' resurrection is something to be shared. I love that. He is not here.
00:05:37.421 --> 00:05:41.081
He has risen from the dead.
00:05:41.341 --> 00:05:49.521
So we know from this story in Matthew 28, verse 6-7, that Jesus is alive.
00:05:51.046 --> 00:05:57.426
And so Resurrection Day is about Jesus being alive. It's not about eggs.
00:05:58.326 --> 00:06:03.086
It's not about bunnies. It's about Jesus being alive.
00:06:03.486 --> 00:06:06.226
So by reclaiming Easter, removing
00:06:06.226 --> 00:06:10.046
unnecessary distractions, what are those unnecessary distractions?
00:06:10.406 --> 00:06:17.026
Distractions that take you away from the focus on Jesus, that we can make it
00:06:17.026 --> 00:06:22.606
a time of a true reflection and worship of Jesus. Amen.
00:06:23.266 --> 00:06:26.406
The resurrection isn't just a historical event.
00:06:26.426 --> 00:06:32.706
It's a reminder that we have a new life in Christ and a call to live that truth out every day.
00:06:32.986 --> 00:06:39.946
He's just not risen from the dead. He's alive right now and he's living on the inside of us.
00:06:40.506 --> 00:06:45.786
God is not dead. He is alive. That is something to celebrate.
00:06:46.046 --> 00:06:48.826
That shows us that we have a future.
00:06:49.126 --> 00:06:50.946
We have a present.
00:06:51.606 --> 00:06:57.286
Things are great in our lives because our God is not dead.
00:06:57.606 --> 00:07:03.446
He's not an idol that can't breathe, can't talk. We have a God that's alive.
00:07:03.846 --> 00:07:06.086
Amen. So it is something to celebrate.
00:07:06.566 --> 00:07:12.146
So this week, take some time to evaluate how you celebrate this particular day,
00:07:12.146 --> 00:07:16.446
Whether you call it Resurrection Day or whether you call it Easter,
00:07:16.606 --> 00:07:19.666
what kind of traditions are you going to leave behind?
00:07:20.286 --> 00:07:24.746
What changes can you make to ensure that this is Christ-centered?
00:07:25.686 --> 00:07:31.766
How can you share the message of resurrection with someone who needs to hear it?
00:07:32.330 --> 00:07:35.450
That's powerful, right? How can you share the story?
00:07:36.390 --> 00:07:41.090
How can you share the story? Usually on this particular day,
00:07:41.350 --> 00:07:42.850
people make delicious dinners.
00:07:43.090 --> 00:07:48.650
Even having a large dinner and inviting a friend over and sharing your story
00:07:48.650 --> 00:07:50.970
about Christ would be powerful.
00:07:51.750 --> 00:07:55.890
So in our next episode, we'll wrap up this series with an exploration of the
00:07:55.890 --> 00:08:00.870
ongoing debate about Easter origins, how we can navigate the different perspectives
00:08:00.870 --> 00:08:05.070
with grace. We don't want to leave people.
00:08:05.550 --> 00:08:09.930
We always want to walk with grace. You know, we want to give people time to
00:08:09.930 --> 00:08:15.090
just, this is why I just don't kind of give you a lot of heavy information,
00:08:15.670 --> 00:08:22.270
just enough information to make you think, but to draw you back to God.
00:08:22.570 --> 00:08:27.750
That's all the whole purpose of this podcast is to give you information and
00:08:27.750 --> 00:08:30.470
to always draw you back to God.
00:08:30.610 --> 00:08:34.230
Sometimes it's hard truths, you know, but it's real.
00:08:34.470 --> 00:08:39.830
It's real truth. And so I want to thank you, always want to thank you for joining
00:08:39.830 --> 00:08:46.550
me today and always on, especially for Church Chronicles by the Diary of Black Women.
00:08:46.790 --> 00:08:49.650
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review,
00:08:49.850 --> 00:08:52.390
and share with someone who may need encouragement.
00:08:52.750 --> 00:08:56.310
Until next time in our final episode, be blessed.