Emily Belle Freeman - A Christ-Centered Easter: Seven Traditions to Lead Us Closer to Jesus Christ

2015 Emily Belle Freeman.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may bereproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from thepublisher, Ensign Peak. The views expressed herein arethe responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the positionof Ensign Peak.

Illustrations 2015 Jay Ward

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Freeman, Emily, 1969 author.
Celebrating a Christ centered Easter : seven traditions to lead us closer to Jesus Christ / Emily Belle Freeman.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-60907-977-2 (paperbound)
1. Easter. 2. Jesus ChristResurrection. I. Title.
BV55.F74 2015
263'.93dc232014034323
Printed in the United States of America
Edwards Brothers Malloy, Ann Arbor, MI
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

For Nish

Whose great love for this High Holiday has deepened mine

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It has been my experience that every book, before it is bound, is inspired by the influence and imagination of far more people than just the one who penned the words. This book is no different. Now, therefore, the gratitude.

To Nish Weiseth, whose friendship has made me a better Christian.

To Michael Wilcox, who introduced me to the Easter Sermon and whose deep faith has inspired many cherished conversations.

To the women from South Mountain Community ChurchSarah, Amy, Gini, Kris, Marie, Erica, Laura, Lindsey, Bobbie, Jackie, Jenn, Heather, Lori, Nikole, Abby, Rachel, Jenny, Myrna, and Tasha. Studying the Bible with you is one of my favorite pastimes.

To Steevun and Tami Lemon for your enthusiasm and believing support in this pursuit.

To Jay Ward; this project would not have been what it is without you. Gratitude for your gift; thankful heart for your timing.

To Emily Watts, without whom I honestly could not survive. My dear friend, confidante, and editor. Thank you for understanding my heart.

To Richard Erickson, Sheryl Dickert Smith, Shauna Gibby, and Kayla Hackett, for your patience with my imagination and the skill and talent with which you bring each dream to life. To Malina Grigg, for inserting changes up to the very last second, and for making every word fit.

To Chris Schoebinger, whose vision has illuminated my life in ways I would never have imagined possible. Thank you for leading me down roads I would never have walked had I not met you.

And, last, to Greg, Caleb, Josh, Garett, Ian, Steven, Megan, and Grace, who have led me to know Jesus Christ. I see Him reflected in each one of you. Thank you for contributing to the experiences that are my life. You are the reason for the joy in every morning and the gratitude that fills my heart when I climb into bed at night. You are my life.

INTRODUCTION

I know that ye seek Jesus,
which was crucified.
He is not here:
for he is risen.

Matthew 28:56, KJV

It was just before the Passover. She stood quietly in the crowded room of the house in Bethany, holding an alabaster box in her hands. The ointment inside the box was extremely expensiveshe had brought her finest as an offering to the Lord. Humbly, she stood behind Him and broke open the box, carefully pouring the precious oil on His head.

There were some in the room who stood back and watched this tender act of devotion and openly ridiculed her behavior. They wondered why the precious ointment was wasted, complaining that it should have been sold for the more than three hundred pence it was worth. They suggested that the money should have been given to the poor.

I cant help but wonder what thoughts filled this humble womans heart in that moment. Did she question her devotion? Did she second-guess the action prompted by her adoration? I think not. Her outward expression reflected a sacred inward belief. With deepest gratitude, Jesus said of her offering, She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her (Mark 14:89, KJV).

What is it about this womans humble act of devotion that makes it so memorable? Perhaps it is her unwavering devotion to that which she believed, even in the face of mockery. But I think there is more. I love the line that tells us she did what she could (Mark 14:6, NIV). Her heart was filled to overflowing with adoration for the Lord and deep reverence for the sacrifice He was about to perform. That sentiment defined her actions.

Is the same true of us? Consider your own life for a moment. When was the last time you broke open the alabaster box? Every time I read the story of this humble woman, deep yearning fills my soul. I want to understand the heart of this woman. I want to find a way to express my love to the Savior as she did. I want to be able to say I have done what I could for the Lord.

It is Easter. This is a season when we reflect on the suffering, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a moment when we too can break open the alabaster box as we prepare beforehand for this holy celebration.

Perhaps as you feel Easter approaching you find yourself wishing you could do things differently. Maybe you hope to find a way to prepare more fully for the sacred celebration ahead. Recently, I was talking with a friend about her traditions and worship services surrounding this holiday. She referred to Easter as her high holiday. I pondered her sentiment and knew I wanted Easter to become more of a high holiday in my life and in my home. I was reminded that Jewish tradition sets aside a certain number of days each year for celebrating. They refer to these days as High Holidays or High Holy Days. In Hebrew the term is Yamim Noraim, which means Days of Awe. That is my hearts desire: I want the days surrounding Easter to become days of awehigh holy days.

For many years our family has celebrated a Christ-centered Christmas. In the seven weeks leading up to Christmas, we learn about the Saviors birth and celebrate a tradition in honor of each of the people whose characters fill the nativity. We decided to celebrate Easter in a similar fashion. This book explains how we celebrate a Christ-centered Easter, but it is different from other Easter books you will read. Most Easter books center on events, on what happened each day of the last week of the Saviors life. This book focuses on the people who were closest to the Savior and spent precious time with Him during the last weeks of His mortal ministry. Instead of events, this book is driven by experiencesone-on-one, personal experiences with Jesus Christ.