I’m in Germany over Easter. On Friday I attended a Seder Dinner with a family from Cadence. It was very enjoyable and helped me remember our small group’s Seder dinner last year. I think we should do it again or something similar. It is such a testament to the need of remembering. The looking back and understanding how God delivers us — in so many circumstances.

Then on Saturday I took a very eventful drive and train ride to Osnabrück to meet Britta and stay with her family. In Germany, Easter is bigger as far as holidays go. Everyone greets everyone else with “Frohe Ostern” the whole week before and after Easter. Eggs, bunnies, and very cute decorations are everywhere. It’s almost similar to Christmas as far as all the hoopla goes.

I went with Britta’s family to a big, old, historic church in downtown Osnabrück on Easter morning (after a big Easter breakfast including special breads, soft eggs, hard-boiled eggs, cheeses, coffee, meats, and chocolates…. mmmm…)
I didn’t understand much, really, while at the church, but I watched the pastor intently. Up in front of this glorious church, he stood at the large wooden lectern and spoke for about 20 minutes. His hands and body language gave me the impression that he really believed and felt and wanted to over his words. He seemed a gentle man with this loving story to tell. Britta told me later the sermon was about the women who went to find Jesus and he wasn’t there. But overall I could feel how special that particular story was… that Jesus wasn’t there. And I too was reminded of how special it is.

I did picked out some phrases in some of the hymns we sang. One being “Jesus bringt Leben” or Jesus brings life. Isn’t that the best message on Easter?

This has been a good trip (although at times a bit testing—dealing with jetlag, missing and transferring trains, driving on the Autobahn, trying to speak German and failing quite often to get out the right words). But it has been great to meet new people, to see Britta and her family again, and to have a little bit of rest. But I can’t wait to return home and get back to my “normal” life and I miss people terribly (especially Adam).

So… from here in Germany I continue wishing you a Happy Easter!

3.25.2008 at 7:52 am | filed under: journal

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