Rise and Shine

Rise and Shine
Author's note: This essay is loosely based on an old Woody Allen Joke: He is trapped in an elevator with a Nun. Having run out of small talk, they get around to mentioning "him" and finally agree that at the least he was a nice guy. I think that we all share a lot more in common in our beliefs and opinions then we might think. If we just had the time and patience to not just talk, but also really listen. I know we would all be surprised at what might be learned. So here is a "tall tale" about two similar legends and what they might say to each other.
April's air brings the zesty snap of spring. It is the unmistakable rebirth of life and the resurrection of hope. I was pondering these things one Easter morning while the sun rose on a hill over my city.

Watching nature's miracle unfold, I pulled back the bow of a long pine branch. Some distance ahead of me sat a tall rather stately looking man in a tunic and full white beard. His eyes were azure and his face was full of the lines that came from laughing. He was engaged in spirited discussion with a large white rabbit dressed in a spring hat and paisley vest. Despite myself, I drew close enough to hear, but still remain unnoticed. A video camera would have been nice about now.

JC: What should I call you?

EB: Besides, the well known, "Easter", the Spanish, use the term Pascua; The Greeks say Pascha,; Norwegian Paaske; French Pâques. I prefer my CEO name "EB"

JC Wow! That's a lot of names.

EB: Do you have any other names besides Jesus Christ?

JC: I have quite a few, but you can call me,"JC"

EB: I didn't think that you existed.

JC: Funny, I heard the same about you.

EB: To be honest, I am really a metaphor for different people's ideas and opinion about Easter.

JC: Sadly, some people see me the same way.

Silence for a moment as both look down the hill at the city below.

EB: People are sure a strange lot.

JC: Yes, but I love them.

EB: I guess you do… the legend has it that you gave your life for all their sins and faults.

JC: (intensely) "EB", my metaphoric friend… it was no legend,

EB: Well that being as it may, my origins don't involve something as brutal as death.

JC: (looking thoughtful) tell me more about yourself "EB".

RB:(Looking reflective) Well, I'm a native of Germany, where our name means "Oster Haas", or "Easter hare"Easter, comes from "Eastre", the goddess of spring and fertility, to whom the month of April was dedicated. The Easter rabbit was a symbol of fertility. Apparently, people lit fires that burned on surrounding hilltops, until early dawn. The children were told that a bunny had been heating special eggs in his sizzling kettles of dye, coloring them in order to leave on the porches for them the following morning. My great-great-great grandfather came here in the 19th century. Along with other Germans, he settled in Pennsylvania.

JC: Is that it?

EB: Well his family settled down quietly until the Civil war ended. After the historic surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, exhausted Confederate and Union soldiers returning to the devastation of their farms and plantations embraced your message of resurrection and added many of my family's traditions. These included the Easter Bunny, hiding of Easter eggs and the colors that symbolize Easter.

JC (listening patiently) Wow! That's interesting.

EB Purple signifies mourning and is strongly associated with the sorrow felt over your physical death on the Cross. White represents purity or joy. Green stands for springtime. Gold means abundance.

JC: How about the great candy?

EB: Well, Jellybeans became a part of American life during the 1860s, when a candy maker produced them for Union troops fighting in the Civil War.
Peeps were first "hatched" by a family-owned candy company in Bethlehem, Pa. The first sugar-laden bunnies came from Germany, where they were made as pastries.

JC: That was quite entertaining. I of course know all that already, but it was fun to hear your version.

EB: (looking annoyed at first and the thoughtful) Know about? How could you? Oh yeah, the "all-knowing" thing.

JC: Sorry… it comes with the whole, "Son of God" responsibilities.

RB: Is that ever a problem for you?

JC: Well...I never get invited to sporting events any more. And any type of card game is right out.

RB: I know I offended you before with my legend reference, but I can't help but notice how the simple message of the Gospels has also been co-opted by big business.

JC: It's ok… I forgive you (waits for EB to catch on). What concerns me is that as your story and mine get blended together, one thing is getting lost.

EB: (Now quite curious) That would be?

JC: Hope for the future and faith that it will get better.

EB: I believe the Bible says, "Faith is the belief in things unseen". That would explain my continued popularity.

JC: (Laughing and then looking suddenly sad.) Easter has always served as a refuge from the winter doldrums as well as a platform to launch the coming spring. At the center of the broad appeal of this holiday is hope, renewal and rebirth.

EB: (getting into the spirit of the discussion) Hope is the acknowledgement that the future brings changes that are positive and needed. Renewal of mind body and spirit, come in various forms. The budding trees and the emergence of flowers bring soft perfumed scents of flowers and growing things.

JC: (excitedly) yes! You're getting it nicely.

EB: Don't get yourself too wound up. Remember I'm only a metaphor

I'd like to tell you more; however, the branch I was leaning on gave way landing me on my backside. Sadly, my two conversing friends disappeared. Had I dreamed it? Was any of it real? As I hiked down to my house, I realized it didn't matter. It's not like anyone would believe me.

What was important was that I remembered the message of Easter, which is renewal of dreams, resurrection of the dead to life, faith in things unseen and hope in the future of all mankind. Besides, if I hurried I had a chance to get to Easter service, and the community "egg roll".