Rethinking Easter

Jesus, seasonal renewal, a magical bunny, or neither?

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There is every chance this newsletter will be moderately provocative and triggering for some people, so let me start by saying, this is not an indictment of how you celebrate Easter, and nor is it a dogmatic script of how you should. It is, quite simply, my own musings on how to handle this holiday in our home.

So, Jesus, seasonal renewal, a magical bunny, or neither?

Photo by Victor Larracuente on Unsplash

I grew up in what l shall term as religious-adjacent family. My grandparents are ‘good Catholics’ and they get much happiness and community from that space. As such, they celebrate Easter as the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the joy that this new life espouses. When l was small and really curious about the church (l still am, but from a historical perspective and the pull of the depth of tradition), l went along with them. My family of origin was not religious at all. Of course, as a teacher at an Anglican school, l was part of the religious celebration, and l enjoyed it — the stories are contemplative and can be beautiful.

In my private life, l do not celebrate Easter in this way. I am not a practising Christian; l believe in something, but it is not the story of Christ.

So, not Jesus then.

Nor does the seasonal cycle in Australia lend itself to the older stories of birth and renewal attached to this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere — the symbols of eggs, rabbits, and tiny chicks, as new life and Spring do not really translate during the midst of leaves dying and falling during Autumn. Incongruous and clunky.

So, not seasonal renewal then.

Like many Australian children l spent my youth avidly awaiting the visit of the magical Easter bunny who would grace us with delicious chocolate eggs which, for once, we were allowed to scoff before eating something nutritious for breaky. Sugar high central.

I had mixed feelings about this cultural tradition when l considered it for our daughter — it feels really commercial to me. Any of you in Australia, or those of you that have family or friends out here will know, there is a lackadaisical attitude to most holidays where the story remains and the ‘product’ that is attached to it, but much of the tradition and magic gets left behind.

Let me clarify. Santa exists, and so do the presents he brings, but there are few traditional stories or festivity tied to this figure when compared with Father Christmas. Equally, the Easter bunny exists, and the eggs they bring are front and centre, but there are few magical stories that are attached to this figurehead. To me, this disconnect feels commercial.

So, not the magical bunny then.

Interestingly, l spoke to my mother (with some trepidation) about how we wouldn’t be doing the Easter bunny for Hazel and she’s surprised me with her response. She said that when we moved to Australia from England when l was five, l came home from school ecstatic that this magical rabbit would be visiting and depositing chocolate at my house. In England, this is not a thing. You exchange chocolate, yes. You meet with family, yes. But no invisible figure gives you gifts. Or at least in my mother’s family of origin and her community, this did not exist. After some internal cursing, she had to open an Easter present from an Aunt in England to hide from the Easter bunny so l wouldn’t miss out.

Cultural traditions we assume are universal here, are not.

What a relief that was to know.

So, something else?

Yes.

Something else.

But what?

I am not entirely sure yet. Being not yet two, we didn’t feel the need to have chosen specific traditions or rituals this year. We decided to carry on the tradition my parents had with us, in which we received a pair of winter pyjamas and one chocolate from them (not the mysterious bunny).

To this tradition we decided an Easter themed book would be a lovely addition. We can put them out each year just as we do with Christmas books.

I have every intention of buying a book called Easter in Autumn by Collette Leenman, a New Zealander who has thought about how to creatively celebrate this holiday in the Southern Hemisphere, and of sewing an Easter crown that comes out with the books each year.

All in good time.

No need to rush when you are cultivating traditions and rituals for your family.

How do you celebrate Easter in your house?

Do you have specific rituals?

Did you carry over the traditions of your origin family, or choose something else entirely?

Warmest,

Rachel x

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