Keeping Easter Spirit Alive Amidst Pandemic Times

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For thousands of years, families across the world have gathered at places of worship and kids flocked to the fields hunting for brightly colored eggs that held treasures inside. This year, those celebrating Easter, are preparing for a very unique occasion.

Following the Holy Week, Easter Sunday is the epitome of one of the most beautiful and meaningful liturgies we commemorate annually. With the COVID-19 pandemic spreading across the country, Texas too will see a different kind of celebration. Different does not necessarily mean ‘any less special’.  Does your family have distinct traditions for Holy Week and Easter?

I have put together some ideas that will ensure that our families can enjoy this week with as much love and devotion as we do each year.

Be Connected

Connection starts from home. Take Easter as the perfect opportunity to connect with your spouse. Parenting 24x7 for the 3143rd (not really, but sure feels like!) day in a row is bound to create friction between the smoothest functioning couples. A month into the pandemic, things seem like they’ll be staying this way for at least another month. Reach out to your spouse and check in with how they are coping. I am guilty of not expressing my exhaustion many times and just motoring through my day, robotically getting things done. It is very grounding when my husband gets me to sit down and take some breaths or I mostly continue on this path till I burn out.

Festive times can put even more pressure on our mental health, so do your part on this day and be each other’s safe space and friend.

Same goes for our children. Independent of their ages, the lockdown is affecting them too. The older ones feel stripped of independence and justifiably frustrated, and the little ones are just plain confused. My kids tell me they “can’t see the coronavirus”, so it must be gone. Hence, “we can all go Easter egg hunting”! It is important to bond within the four walls of our home, before we make attempts to reconnect with extended family members.

While technology cannot replace the warmth, a grandparent’s reassuring hug can offer, seeing and talking to loved ones over calls can help ease the emotional disconnect. Call those cousins you were so close to while growing up but grew distant with over time. You may just rediscover the long-lost fun you had in their company!

Social Distance Doesn’t Mean Emotional Distance

Look out for your neighbors. Do you have elderly neighbors whose families are unable to visit? They must be feeling really isolated and down. Reach out and make their day. Keep the distance but make some conversations. Talking to people who are not your family can be very refreshing and revealing.

This Year God Is Working Through Technology

Get connected with your church services through digital portals. Many churches across Texas are broadcasting sermons and Easter programs on Zoom. Zoom is the latest interactive social platform offering video meetings with several people.

Ministers in Orange, Texas are live streaming their Sunday sermons on Facebook. Small church groups are also meeting on Google Hangouts and there are plenty of online videos and resources available online

One other way churches in Texas are playing their part to help, that you can be a part of too, are food banks. The past few weeks have seen a drastic increase in the amount of food and groceries being given out. Encourage your family and others to give graciously on this occasion. Let us be there for our community when it needs us the most.

I think, many of us are struggling with some anxiety at this stage. The fear surrounding jobs, health and finances can be a lot. Hold on to hope and learn to trust God who has control over all that is uncontrollable by us.

Organize Activities You Can Enjoy At Home

There may be a glimmer of hope for the kids too who won’t be happy knowing that Easter egg hunts have been cancelled. Families are collaborating online to organize backyard egg hunts as a big connected treasure hunt.

You can even do a real raw egg fight with the kiddos. Or try to bake a coconut Easter bunny cake with the children as your helpers. Zoom dinners with relatives across the world are bringing families actually closer than before. Get those board games out and enjoy a game of chess with your son.

There is more value given to what is on the brink of losing. Losing touch with those we love. If there is one good thing that is coming out of staying indoors, it is that it has given people a chance to gauge the trajectory their lives are taking. Easter can be the best occasion to do just that. Spread love, peace and gratitude and have a great Easter Sunday!