Proclaiming the Good News of God

Priester Bunny Preparations

HAPPY EASTER!

     As we continue in our joyous season of Easter, we declare and proclaim the good news that has been revealed to us - the Lord is Risen! He is risen indeed! ALLELUIA!

     ...so how does that proclamation look *outside* the church? How do we share that good news with folks whose faith is unknown to us?

     That was part of the invitation I extended to our young folks last Sunday as we celebrated our weekly service. We begin our common worship with children's time, and I shared that what Easter gives us is not just chocolate bunnies; but great news that we can share. We talked about the ways that we can tell others about God - wearing a cross, shouting Alleluias, declaring "Jesus Loves You!", learning that God's love is sweeter than honey and more valued than gold, writing or drawing messages of love, knowing that eggs can represent new life, sharing a message of love, singing an Easter hymn.

     So I invited the kids to proclaim the good news... first we sang "Jesus Loves Me" and then I sent them around the church on a (silent) Easter egg hunt! (The 'priester bunny' had been busy the night before!)

     Each child got to collect one egg of each colour; in the eggs were heart and cross stickers, a wooden cross necklace, a "Jesus loves you!" streamer, an "Alleluia" with pom poms, a gold-wrapped candy, an easter egg, and sidewalk chalk.

     Aside from the practicality of children being comfortable and engaged in the church, the exercise bore fruit. All week long I've heard stories of stickers being shared, and "Chris Is Risen" being drawn in chalk, and strangers being handed candies, and more.

     What a delight to know that the children not only know that the Risen Lord is cause for delight and joy, but that they are keen to share that good news.

     I wonder how many of us as adults have done the same this week: have we reached out? Have we proclaimed good news? Have we told a neighbour or colleague about our commitment to living the Easter story?

     Much to ponder... maybe we all just need a bit more chocolate to egg on our evangelism... or maybe we need to wander in the world with child-like enthusiasm and declare our faith. Alleluia, alleluia!