The Easter Bunny Doesn't Bring Baby Sisters

My friend Kimberly welcomed a new daughter, Maggie, into the world this morning. This precious gift of God joins a wonderful family with two boys, ages seven and two. Kimberly called me yesterday evening to tell me that she started having contractions. She knew the birth could come at any time, so she asked if I would be willing to come over and stay with the boys if they had to go to the hospital in the middle of the night. I was more than willing to help, even in this small way. Ian (the seven year old) was asleep when I arrived around 2:30 am, but Will (age 2) was wide awake. He and I watched the movies Cars and Up until about 5 am, when he finally decided it was time to go to sleep.

Around 8 am, Ian woke up and sleepily sauntered into their living room. He was excited about the possibility of his baby sister arriving, although he wasn't really sure it was going to be today. He seemed convinced that it would take longer. As he patiently waited on his grandfather to take him to the hospital, he and I had a conversation about Easter.

Figuring that he might be a little nervous with everything going on, I tried to keep it light.

Me: Ian, do you think the Easter Bunny is going to bring you a baby sister this year?
Ian: No, the Easter Bunny doesn't bring baby sisters. He just brings candy and maybe, I'm hoping, a car!

Our conversation about the Easter bunny continued, including a really funny story about his Uncle Steven being so bad that the Easter bunny wasn't coming to visit him. Instead, his wife was going to have to buy him an Easter basket.

It wasn't until later this morning that I realized the truth of Ian's statement. I received word that Maggie had arrived and was healthy and beautiful, and I began to thank God for her precious life, especially arriving right here at Easter, a perfect reminder of the new life we are promised in Christ through the gift of His sacrificial love.

It dawned on me that this seven year old little boy had made a profound theological statement, proclaiming a truth that often gets lost in our time and culture. For Christians, Easter is the most important day of the year. Our entire belief system hinges on the fact that Jesus gave His life for us through his brutal death on the cross but died to a grave that could not hold Him. He arose to bring us new life in Christ. Without the resurrection, the rest doesn't make sense. Without the resurrection, there is no salvation.

In John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me." While the world may put the Easter bunny (and his eggs, and candy, and toys, and stories) on center stage at this time of year, the real star of the show is Jesus! The Resurrected, Holy, Wonderful, Magnificent, Sacrificial Jesus!

Ian was right. The Easter bunny doesn't bring baby sisters because the Easter bunny can't bring us new life. Only Jesus can!

You are stronger, you are stronger,
Sin is broken you have saved me.
It is written, Christ is risen,
Jesus you are Lord of all.

He is risen indeed! Amen!