The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

   The eclipse that occurred on April 8 was an amazing display of God's glory. He created the universe in such an orderly way that an eclipse can be predicted years in advance. There is an eclipse about every eighteen months, but they often cross over the sea where we don't see them.

   We were in the path of about 90% totality and watched it come and go through clouds with a welder's helmet. 

   The moon, with a mean diameter of 2,159.2 miles, and the sun, with a mean diameter of 864,938 miles, appear almost the same size in our sky. The reason they appear nearly the same size (and result in total eclipses) is their distance from the earth, which is almost perfect for that result.

Those distances are important for life on earth. The sun, any closer or further away would result in temperatures too hot or too cold for human life. The moon, any closer or further away would not be in position for a total eclipse. In addition, the moon is partially responsible for our tides which help support ocean life. None of this occurred by chance. It all points to the Creator. That is the real significance of the eclipse.

"For Gods invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." - Romans 1:20a (ESV)

Where Did the Easter Bunny Come From?

    I often wondered where the Easter bunny came from but didn't look into it until there was an article in the newspaper last week with a fraktur of a rabbit carrying a basket of colored eggs. The fraktur was drawn about 1800 by a German immigrant in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It is in a museum in Wilmington, Delaware. The newspaper article said the Easter rabbit came from German folklore and was imported in the 1700s with the Germans who became known as Pennsylvania Dutch. 

  

   The old PA Dutch story involved a mythical figure known as Ostara, who was the symbol of fertility and new life in the spring. According to the legend, Ostara changed a pet bird into a rabbit to amuse children, and the rabbit laid brightly colored eggs. Ostara gave the eggs as gifts to the children.

Next question. Where did the Germans get the Easter rabbit and colored egg idea?

   The only place the word "Easter" is used in the Bible is in Acts 12:4. However, the book of Acts was originally written in the Greek language and the Greek word in Acts 12:4 is pascha which means Passover. In his 1522 German translation, Martin Luther translated pascha as Oastern. When the KJV was translated to English in 1611, the translators used Easter instead of Passover. Easter and the Jewish Passover are celebrated close together. 

   The beginning of Easter goes back to the springtime ritual begun by the Phoenician Queen Semiramis following the death of her son Tammuz. Legend has it that through her tears, Tammuz could be resurrected in the reincarnated form of new vegetation on Earth. Ezekiel 8:14 says women were weeping for Tammuz. Queen Semiramis also came to be known as Astarte (a Phoenician goddess) and Eastre or Ashtoreth (wife of Baal and queen of heaven). 

  Easter was established by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. As Christianity spread, pagan practices were mixed with Christianity as a way to attract pagans to the church. The Babylonians considered the egg a sacred symbol that represented Ostera's fertility and new life (the 28-day cycle of the moon). During the Middle Ages, Europeans collected different colored bird eggs from nests to use as charms against evil and bring them good fortune. Later, the painting of eggs became more popular. In Germany, Ostera (an Anglo-Saxon goddess of rebirth and new life in spring) and her rabbit with a basket of colored eggs was mixed with the Easter celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. 

    The Virgin Mary is depicted with her left hand on a rabbit in the painting "The Madonna of the Rabbit" ca. 1530.

   Rabbits have long been recognized as a fertility symbol and can also be traced back to the practices established by Semiramis. In the 1500s in Germany, some people believed that rabbits laid red eggs on Holy Thursday and multi-colored eggs the night before Easter Sunday. Later, the custom evolved into edible Easter bunnies made out of sugared pastry. This tradition came to America during the 1700s with the Pennsylvania Dutch and evolved into chocolate Easter bunnies and eggs. Children believed that if they were good to the "Oschter haw" (Easter bunny), he would lay a nest of colored eggs.

    Like the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas, Easter has turned into a melting pot of activities that have nothing to do with our Lord's death and resurrection. Although traditions like the Easter bunny and egg hunts seem harmless, they actually have a significant association with pagan worship and rituals from the past.

    A word to the wise is sufficient. Let's keep Easter pure and a day to praise God for the resurrection of Jesus which confirmed He was the Son of God sent to be our Redeemer.

The Folded Napkin

The detail of the folded napkin is found in the account of Jesus’ resurrection in John 20:7.  “And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself” (KJV). Different respected translations of the Bible handle this verse differently. Three of them translate the verse with the word napkin (KJV, AS, RSV). Others translate it with “burial cloth” (NIV), “handkerchief” (NKJV), or “face-cloth” (NASB). The Greek word is saudarion, which comes from a Latin word for “sweat.” It can refer to a towel for wiping sweat from one’s face. It is used in the Greek to denote a towel or cloth, but not specifically a table napkin.

The other key word is folded. Was the burial cloth or napkin left folded in the tomb? Two of the translations use the word folded (NIV, NKJV). Others translate the word as “rolled up” (NASB, ASV, RSV) or “wrapped together” (KJV). The Greek word is entulisso, which is from words that may mean “to twist” or “to entwine.” The bottom line is that there is no agreement that it was a table napkin and no agreement that it was neatly folded in any meaningful way. The primary meaning of John 20:7 is that the cloth, which was placed over Jesus’ head or face at burial, was separate from the rest of His grave clothes. The significance of that, if there is any, is unknown.

It has been rumored that folding the napkin at the table is a Jewish custom that means the person folding the napkin intends to return. Numerous Bible study sources have been checked, but there is nothing about this alleged Jewish custom of the folded napkins. The only references to this story seem to be from internet postings and emails that appear to have originated in 2007.

Many Bible commentators and authors have used this creative illustration to make specific application to the resurrection and return of Jesus Christ. The truth is that table napkins, such as we use today, were not used in Jesus’ day. Jews would do an after-meal hand washing as part of the eating ritual. Washing of the hands before a meal was mandatory according to rabbinic injunction, but after washing their hands, did people dry them with a cloth? Apparently, there is no early rabbinic source that discusses how the hands were dried after washing them. The folding of the napkin as a sign that a dinner guest is not finished may be good European custom, but this custom was unknown in the land of Israel in the time of Jesus.

If this urban legend appears in your inbox, do not pass it on. It's a nice story but is not true. The resurrected Jesus could go through closed doors. He could also leave his grave clothes behind without removing them.

Easter Anthem

The Easter Anthem was written by William Billings (1746-1800). He was an American choral composer with no formal musical training. His songs were well-loved, however, he received almost nothing from his music. Married and with six children, he died in poverty and his music was forgotten. Ironically, it was resurrected after his death and is still sung today. 

 May the truth of this glorious Easter Anthem ring in your ears throughout this Holy Week.

Isaiah 49

  I taught the ladies Sunday school class this morning and did not have enough time to cover the lesson. I will post the outline here as a study guide if you would like to go through it yourself.

   Isaiah 49 is one of four Servant Songs in the book of Isaiah. It is a song or poem about the Messiah. Our lesson covered verses 1-17.  In verses 1-6 Christ is speaking to the world and saying what the Father said to Him. In verses 7-12 the Father speaks to the Son. In verses 13-17 God reassures His people. The fulfillment of each verse can be found in a verse in the New Testament.

Christ speaks to the world 

"Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from afar."

1. The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowls of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Fulfilled in Luke 1:31)

2. He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword ((Hebrews 4:12) In his quiver hath he hid me. (Colossians 1:26-27 hidden until the time was right)

3. [The Father said to the Son] Thou art my servant in whom I will be glorified. (John 17:4)

4. I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain. (Matthew 23:37)

5.Though Israel be not gathered, yet will I be glorious (Acts 2:38-39) My God shall be my strength. (Luke 22:43)

6. [The Father said to the Son] I will give thee a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation to the ends of the earth. (Luke 2:28-32)

The Father speaks to the Son

7. To Him whom man despised, to Him whom nations abhored, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship. (Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 19:16)

8. I will preserve thee, and give thee a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate places. (Acts 13:46-48; Ephesians 2:12)

9. That thou mayest say to the prisoners, go forth, to them that are in darkness. (Luke 4:17-21) Their pastures shall be in high places (Matthew 5:6)

10. They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat or sun smite them . . .by the springs of water shall he guide them. (Revelation 7:16-17)

11. I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted. (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:3-4--There is one straight level road to heaven which is the same for all people)

12. They shall come from afar. . . from the north . . . west. . .and land of Sinim (we would say Timbucktoo. Revelation 7:9-10) 

God reassures His people

These verses break into singing and could be considered the chorus

13. Sing O heavens, be joyful, O earth. This verse reminds us of the song, Joy to the World, which was based on Psalm 98. We think of it as a Christmas song but what Isaac Watts had in mind when he wrote it was the Second Coming. It reaches the climax in the fourth verse, "No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found."

14. The Lord hath forsaken me, my Lord hath forgotten me, (Matthew 27:46)

15. Yet will I not forget thee. (John 14:16-18)

16. I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands. (John 20:27 The engraving tool that wrote your name on His palms was a nail. He looks at His hand and sees your name.)

17. Thy destroyers [enemies] and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee. (1 Corinthians 15: 26, 55-57) "Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Isaiah 49:1-17 can be summed up in one verse, John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

Not Made to Fly

   My newest book is in the warehouse at Christian Light Publications and distribution has begun. It should appear in bookstores next week.

   Not Made to Fly is my fourth book of stories for children. The other three are Crayonbox Collection, Esther Starts from Home, and A Chance to be Brave. The forty-one stories in this book were originally published in the Story Mates church papers several years ago. They were collected and printed in book form. The stories in Esther Starts from Home were about two sisters. All of the stories in A Chance to be Brave are about boys. Crayonbox Collection and Not Made to Fly are a mix of stories about boys and girls. They are intended for children ages 5-9, but I've had many adults tell me they like to read them too. 

   Not Made to Fly is the title of one of the stories in this book. The story is built from my own children's failed attempt to use plastic grocery bags for parachutes. 

   My grandchildren get a book for every birthday. Do you have a child or grandchild with a birthday coming up soon? Give a book!

Man Cub

  In June we were delighted to learn that our prayers had been answered and our youngest son and his wife were expecting their second child. Gerald and Kelly were married nine years before their first child, Abigail, was born in 2020. (My post from March 6, 2020, tells how that came about.) They hoped to have a second child as soon as possible but there were multiple roadblocks and disappointments. It took a year longer than they hoped but in June they brought Leroy a Father's Day card with the news tucked inside. In July they let Abigail tell everyone with this picture.

   From July to January is a long time for a little girl to wait. They didn't want to know if the baby was a boy or girl. Things progressed well and a date for the C-section was set for January 31. At 11:30 p.m. on January29, Gerald called and asked us to come and stay with Abi while they go to the hospital. The baby did not want to wait another day. 

    Things were on hold while they waited for Kelly's turn in the OR. At 12:08 p.m. on January 30, the answer to all those years of prayers was in their arms. It was a boy! The minute he was born they sang Happy Birthday to him to announce his name, Samuel Isaac Stauffer. And then it was picture time!

Proud Papa who called him "a man cub"

Big sister meets baby Sam Jan. 31

The whole happy family

Samuel Isaac

asked of God, cause of joy and laughter

We went to the hospital to see this long-awaited grandson on Jan. 31. 

  We already have six great-grandchildren and this may be our last grandchild. Every child is a gift from God who alone is the giver of life. Still, children who are so difficult to obtain as this are living miracles. To Him alone be the praise!