Spiritual connections: Wake up … it’s spring

My morning walk to the mailbox to get my newspaper is a favorite part of my wake-up routine all year around, especially when my timing is right to hear an early chorus of bird songs. Winter has been cold and blustery, long and hard, but the blue jays, red cardinals, and black-capped chickadees never fail to make their presence known. 

But now comes spring and new wake-up notes and melodies of robins and warblers.

Wake up … it’s Passover

Jewish Passover comes around the time of the vernal equinox when equal day and equal night mark the transition from winter to spring. An egg on the Seder Feast plate represents the renewal of spring and the circle of life. A green vegetable called karpas, usually parsley, may symbolize the freshness of spring.

First, the crocus and then the tulips awaken to bud and blossom. Trunks and limbs of every species of tree awaken to swell the buds on hundreds and hundreds of branches and twigs.

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Wake up … it’s Easter

When the kids were still in our home, and I was still in the parish, I’d wake up and rise very, very early before heading to the church to make ready for the Easter Sunrise service. Before leaving the house, I’d quietly go to each bedroom and whisper, “Wake up, Nathan, it’s Easter” … ”Wake up, Ben, it’s Easter” … ”Wake up, Chelsea, it’s Easter.”

Easter is the wake-up season with a divine promise that God will someday come to each and every grave of ours and all of our loved ones saying, “Wake up … it’s Easter!”

This is why morning is my favorite time of the day, spring is my favorite season of the year and Easter, with its promise of life and hope that springs eternal is, I believe, God’s favorite gift to all!

Editor’s note: EPLN contributor Pastor Rod Anderson serves on the EPLN Board of Directors. Anderson is the former senior pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie. If you want to contribute a faith-based column to EPLN, email editor@eplocalnews.org.