Reflecting back on past two years

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter weekend and got to spend some quality time with family and friends. As we celebrated this holy holiday, I reflected on the last two years and the pandemic that has impacted so many and drastically changed how we live our daily lives and do business in Oklahoma and across the country. With the loss of so many lives and jobs, it was an extremely dark time, but as Oklahomans do in times of strife, we overcame and are now stronger than ever. 

This wasn’t the first tragedy to strike our state and it won’t be the last. So, what helps Oklahomans overcome these terrific hardships? I believe it’s our faith and our never-ending hope; and it’s on Easter that we, as Christians, are reminded of our eternal hope and salvation.

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)

1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (NASB)

There is peace in knowing that nothing in this lifetime is permanent, just a mere moment in our ultimate story. I hope you have found this overwhelming peace and that the events of recent years haven’t weakened your faith but have instead strengthened it. Just as Jesus overcame the grave, society has overcome this horrible pandemic and we will continue to do so.

An interesting history lesson, but did you know that many of the modern-day Easter practices that to some may seem commercial, like hiding and coloring Easter eggs and even the Easter bunny, actually stem from early Christian traditions? Easter eggs symbolized parts of the Easter story to early Christians – the shell represents the sealed tomb, and the cracking of eggs represents Jesus’ resurrection.

In early churches, Easter eggs were handed out during the Easter service to celebrate the rising of Christ and the end of Lent, which is the 40-day period when followers abstain from eating meat and eggs. Easter is the first day that Christians could eat eggs. This practice is still observed in some congregations. 

Early Christians also dyed eggs red to represent the blood of Jesus, and later missionaries began dying them different colors in honor of various parts of the Easter story. Yellow represented the resurrection, blue stood for love, and red depicted the blood of Christ. Sometimes, biblical scenes were also painted on the eggs before they were hidden for children. When they were found, the children would tell the story associated with each painting, helping them better learn about the significance of Easter.

Today, eggs often have goodies hidden in them so that when children open them, they experience the same joy and happiness that was felt when Jesus’ followers learned of His resurrection. Another modern custom is the use of Easter lilies in churches and homes, which symbolizes Christ’s purity to Christians. These grow from dormant bulbs to magnificent white flowers reflecting the rebirth and hope of Christ’s resurrection. 

I hope you’ll continue these beautiful Easter traditions and share with your families the true meaning behind them. God bless you and your family! 

If you have any questions or concerns on legislative matters, please contact me at the Capitol. Please write to Senator Jessica Garvin, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 237, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105, email me at Jessica.Garvin@oksenate.gov or call (405) 521-5522.