Coronavirus and easter

Over the past weeks, the world has been hit by a catastrophic disease which was subsequently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation  (WHO). Yeah, I am referring to the coronavirus disease  (COVID-19) - a tiny yet dangerous virus that has brought great and mighty nations to their knees.

Thousands of lives are recorded dead and people everywhere are panicking and wondering when all these would finally be over. When are things going to be normal again they ask. When are our children returning to school and when would the world's economy be stable again?

Thousands of workers have lost their jobs globally. Social gatherings including religious organisations have been suspended. But as we are in the Easter week,  I ask of the impact of COVID-19 on its celebration. 

Easter

Easter celebrations varies from year to year. It is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon on or after 21st March. This year, Easter Sunday falls on 12 April with Good Friday being 10th April.

However, the week leading up to Easter is called Holy Week and it starts with Palm Sunday .
Palm sunday is the Sunday before Easter Sunday.It marks Jesus' triumpahnt entry into  Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Crowds of people came out of the city to greet him, throwing downpalm branches on the road.

Maundy Thursday

This is the Thursday before Easter Day.On Maundy Thursday,  Christians do  remember when the Lord Jesus ate the Passover meal with his twelve  disciples, breaking bread and drinking wine. Christians refer to this meal as the Last Supper, others call it the Lord's Supper.

Most Christians observe the Last Supper by sharing bread and wine together in a church service referred to as the  Holy Communion, Eucharist or Mass. It is a reminder that Jesus sacrificed his life for mankind. Jesus asked his disciples to do this in remembrance of him.

Good Friday

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday. It falls on 10th April this year. The day is used to commemorate the execution of Jesus by crucifixion. Some believe it is "Good"because Jesus' death brought redemption.

 Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday marks Jesus's resurrection. After Jesus was crucified on the Friday, his body was then taken down upon request by one of his secret disciples, Joesph of Arimathea,  from the cross and buried in one of his tombs. The tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers and an enormous stone was put over the entrance to avoid any possible escape as Jesus said whilst with his disciples. 

On Sunday, Mary Magdalene visited the tomb and found out Jesus' body was not in the tomb. She ran to inform the disciples who followed her to the tomb. They found the stone had been rolled  with Jesus's body gone. Jesus was seen later that day by over five hundred people at the same time .

Easter eggs

To most people, an egg is a symbol of a new life. Some Christians consider Easter eggs as a symbol for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Most Easter eggs are made from chocolate and covered in coloured foil as well. Traditionally though, chicken eggs would usually be hard boiled and then decorated by using the hand. The Traditional Easter egg hunts, however, do remain popular with both Christian and non-Christian children.

Christians believe that, through Jesus' resurrection, he thus overcame the sting of  death and sin. This offers people the promise of eternal life if they continually  follow his profound  teachings.

Over the years,  most churches are noted for organising Easter crusades and picnics during this period. But how would the celebration be made considering the ban on social gathering. 

Some churches such as the International Central Gospel Church  (ICGC) would engaged thir members online though social media platforms as well as  through the ICGC app and through some selected tv and radio stations .

But what of those who are not abreast with technology and have no social media accounts. Not forgetting the other churches who would not be able to pay for airtime on tv and radio for broadcasting? How are their members going to be engaged?

I dare say most Christians wouldn't enjoy the Easter season as they used to. The norm of celebrating Easter in an enclosed building or on parks with fellow Christians singing songs of praise and worship to the Creator wouldn't be available. People are really going to be sad and bored. 

Easter celebrations this year is still hanging for many Christians as they don't know what to do. Some churches have postponed the celebration whilst others believe rescheduling it is disrespectful to the Creator because Easter is the most sacred and significant  festival on the Christian calendar and must be celebrated at all cost.To them remembering a profound king who descended from his heavenly throne to sacrifice himself for our redemption must be celebrated. 

But at the end of it all, it is the individual Christian who must "work out your own salvation with fierce and trembling" for Christianity they say, is a way of life and not a religion.

Would this period be the right moment for families to celebrate Easter together as a family without being in an enclosed building or a park? Would this season be the right moment for husbands and or fathers to act as priests at home by taking their families through the communion service and prayer sessions at home . 

What are some of the ideas and advice  you recommend to felow Christians this easter season. What moments would you miss this easter and what are your thoughts on this Easter.  Leave your comments in the box below.