Easter is here, a time of reflection for me. Looking back I remember as a child going to Good Friday service from nine in the morning to midday. After service it was bun and cheese as no stove was lit until after three o clock. There were some churches that had service at twelve noon until three o'clock in the afternoon.
As I grew older and left the United Church for the Baptist Church Easter was a little different. There was baptism on Good Friday and we sang hymns like The Old Rugged Cross. I love that hymn. We also read the last seven words of Jesus. This was a ritual every year, then on Easter Sunday we sang a hymn with the words, “Up from the Grave He Arose,”. I loved that hymn too.
Lately, we don’t sing these hymns anymore and look at the aspect of the crucifixion from different perspectives. Although I miss those hymns, I like the current direction of the service as it helps me to broaden my perspective on the crucifixion of Christ.
As an adult, I still have bun and cheese on Good Friday and cook after three o’ clock. I also have fish and bammy for dinner.
Looking back I remember hearing stories from friends or on the radio on different rituals that people perform on Good Friday. It is claimed that there is a particular tree that when cut, actually bleeds. I have never seen it, so I don’t know, but I think it’s sap. There is also stories of placing an egg white in water before the sun was up and later when checked, their future would be predicted based on the shape of the egg. A friend of mine told me that his brother had seen an airplane. It turns out that his brother eventually migrated.
There are other rituals that I have heard about but won’t mention, as said, I have never witnessed any of these practices.
One thing I can say though i that there was a time when church was so full on Good Friday that if one was not early, you would not get a seat. Things have changed, some people don’t consider it that important anymore so nowadays, only actual members turn up at church.
I still love Easter as it is a time of reflection for me to reflect on the purpose for which Christ came and I celebrate that.
And yes! I still have bun and cheese.
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