Celebrating the spiritual celebrations of Spring: Embrace change
#UpliftingMessage
“Spring is made of solid, fourteen-karat gratitude, the reward for the long wait. Every religious tradition from the northern hemisphere honors some form of April hallelujah, for this is the season of exquisite redemption, a slam-bang return to joy after a season of cold second thoughts.” (Barbara Kingsolver in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle)
This month has an abundance of celebratory spring festivals. Redemption and the yearning for liberation leading to hearty hallelujahs is found on the lips of worshipers across a breadth of religious traditions.
- Christians continue the redemptive journey of Lent anticipating the joy of Easter.
- Muslims continue the redemptive journey of Ramadan anticipating the joy of Eid al-Fitr.
- Jews continue the redemptive journey of Israel from bondage to the joy of Passover.
These traditions and others recognize that after a cold season and long wait that warm gratitude will shortly embrace us. Each in their own way seeks to prepare us to accept change.
Consider the timing of these spiritual events and their connection to spring’s momentous changes. Not surprisingly, seasonal decorative flowers are found in all three traditions. Their color, vibrancy, beauty, and fragrance partner well with these holidays.
Think about the local flowering plants that undergo cyclical annual transformations. Blueberry bushes and assorted trees of hazelnuts, pears, cherries, apples, and more bring color, vibrancy, beauty, fragrance, and fruits year in and out. They do so by embracing the regularity and necessity of change to fulfil their purpose.
Winter’s dormancy leads to spring’s bud burst, bright bloom, and petals dropping. Spring’s fruit setting leads to summer’s ripening, autumn’s harvest, and winter’s dormancy again.
Embracing change helps us move from dormancy to fruitfulness and fulfil our purpose.
- What gratitude awaits you?
- What would a return to joy look like?
- What liberation do you long for and to share?
Rev Sybrant has a Masters in Divinity, Social Work, and a Doctor of Ministry. For more information, visit us at 15050 SW Weir Road, www.murrayhills.org | 503-524-5230
