The Easter dilemma -- comments, please!

I have no problem teaching D. about Christmas -- he knows about baby Jesus, born in a stable and celebrated for later bringing Jewish concepts of social justice to the rest of the world, that is "teaching people how to be nice to each other." Easter, however, is a big challenge. Personally, I'm fine with "He is Risen" in a spiritual and metaphorical sense -- after all, his followers would truly have betrayed him if they'd gone back to their village lives in defeat, and it's remarkable that they could generate so much spiritual energy toward keeping his work alive.

However, you can't explain "spiritually and metaphorically overcoming death" to a four-year-old, and as far as I'm concerned the whole literal resurrection thing is a potentially dangerous tangent, focusing people on escaping nature rather than on the core of Jesus's teachings. What does a literal afterlife have to do with social justice, individual worth, transcending the limitations of shame-based cultures, and developing a personal relationship with a loving Absolute?

Our family observances of Easter are pretty much purely pagan: dyeing and hunting in the garden for eggs hidden by the Bunny, receiving a fancy basket of candies and treats left by the Bunny, eating a big dinner of spring foods. We usually like to go to the woods and look for the pale yellow erithroniums too (fawn lilies; pictures coming soon).

However, even though we aren't practicing Christians, the Jesus aspect of Easter is an important part of our cultural heritage. So I'm trying to figure out how to include Jesus in the day's events, where D. is concerned. I guess one way to explain it is that it's an annual Celebration of Life for Jesus, like the one we had for Grandpa Arnold. Hmm. Any thoughts, anyone?

A memorable Saturday

Highlights of the day (chronologically, not by order of amazingness):

• Taking a nice walk down to the Episcopal church to get their Easter schedule and back by way of the grove of ash trees to pick flowering sprigs from some of the naturalizing fruit trees (they're only noticeable when in bloom; I want to do something about that and see if they ever set fruit)


• Finishing the end of Part II (of III) in Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell


• Watching a touching episode of Monarch of the Glen about a long-hidden community secret


• Appreciating an afternoon windstorm, from inside the house


• Preparing a surprisingly delicious dinner from The Greek Vegetarian -- and R. said it looked beautiful!


• Recovering in just 20 minutes from the ridiculous burn I'd even tried to guard against in advance (I just knew I couldn't keep from grabbing the skillet handle after it had come out of the oven)


• Finally watching The Incredibles! Wow! I had no idea it would be so exciting! The first time I watch a Pixar movie I try for complete suspension of disbelief (hoping not to be distracted by recognizing voices, etc.), but I still marvelled at the animation of the water around the island the first time we see it. I'm very tempted to go buy the DVD too, since D's going to watch this tape again and again and since fractal9091's recommended the DVD extras

( Recipe for Asparagus Frittata )

( and for Grilled Oyster Mushrooms )