Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
The symbolism of Easter belongs to all, regardless of specific religious beliefs. Death and resurrection, or the life, death, life cycle, takes its cue from nature. The change of the seasons in spring aptly coincides with the Christian celebration of Easter in many parts of the world. As we watch the unfolding of new life, barren trees sprouting leaves, new green growth breaking through the seemingly dead and barren soil awakens in us the idea of a new beginning.
This symbolism describes a seemingly miraculous aspect of human existence that is difficult to describe in any other way. Locked into the very nature of the universe is not only death, but rebirth. It is the law of the universe. Death and destruction does not last forever for the life force is more powerful and pushes through any and every obstacle to find a new beginning.
LOSS AND NEW BEGINNINGS
Death comes to all of us. It comes in the form of loss, disappointment, change, and the passing of time. But, just as often birth and new beginnings. Easter reminds us of this universal truth. It reminds us that we must never abandon hope, never give up on the promise of life, for even in scorched earth life is struggling, willingly to burst forth, and always does.
It is precisely in the midst of the heartache and brokenness, through our most profound losses, that we too can find an opportunity for new life, new opportunity, new awareness. We can’t imagine what this even looks like when we are standing before the empty tomb, but when the sun rises again and morning comes we will, without fail, see what we could not see in the dark.
Easter is about the hope that is our birthright. We are, in fact, guaranteed hope. It is also true, that the deepest hope and the greatest joy arises in us after our darkest night. This hope exists within the human spirit at birth and refuses to quit, refuses to give in to the pain, refuses to give up on life . . . it is a hope that quite often defies reason. Like an ember that never dies, hope waits quietly for us to blow life into it once again.May the love of life, of love eternal, of rebirth and renewal awaken in you and overcome your sorrow again and again. 
DS
DS“When love awakens in your life, in the night of your heart, it is like the dawn breaking within you. Where before there was anonymity, now there is intimacy; where before there was fear, now there is courage; where before in your life there was awkwardness, now there is a rhythm of grace and gracefulness; where before you used to be jagged, now you are elegant and in rhythm with your self. When love awakens in your life, it is like a rebirth, a new beginning.”― John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
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