Jonan Castillon is the pastor at Oamaru Baptist Church.
Ten days before Easter Sunday, I received a call from the owner/manager of Sandringham House Rest Home, who informed me that she was inviting the children from Oamaru Baptist Church to the Easter egg hunt she was organising.
The invitation surprised me, yet at the same time, delighted me. Here was an opportunity for our kids to not only enjoy the egg hunt but also see the rest home, which is just a few metres from the church, and perhaps meet the residents, staff, and management.
Oamaru Baptist Church and the Sandringham House Rest Home, though having different building numbers, No. 12 and 14, respectively, are located in the same compound and share a driveway.
To celebrate the joyful spirit of Resurrection Day, I asked if parents could help their children create Easter greeting cards for our wonderful residents. It’s a lovely way to show our appreciation and spread the message.
The Easter weekend was rainy, but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the organisers or the participants. The Easter egg hunt event proceeded as planned.
As anticipated in any children’s game, the Easter egg hunt inspired excitement and joy as they uncovered the colourful chocolate eggs and other hidden ‘treasures.’
I was told that when the children were asked about the meaning of Easter, they responded that it celebrates the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Indeed, this significant event, which occurs on the third day following his crucifixion, signifies hope, renewal, and the promise of eternal life for those who believe in Him. This is the truth that the young and old of the Baptist Church believe in and consistently celebrate.
Observing children enjoying the Easter egg hunt at a rest home, one might easily reflect that the children are catching a glimpse of their future while the residents are cherishing memories of their childhood years.
However, we must look beyond the physical frailty that old age brings and the energy that the younger years offer because, after all, no one knows when and how our lives on earth will end.
What I reflected on from the joint Easter event at the rest home is how our Lord Jesus Christ has endowed resurrection and eternal life to all, the young and the old.
It is our prayer that through the simple greeting cards, our children have imparted hope and joy to the residents, that among the many joys of Easter, the promise of a resurrected life for all who believe stands out.
I am reminded of the old-time children’s song:
The time to be happy is now,
The place to be happy is here,
And the way to be happy is to make others happy,
And we’ll have a little heaven down here.
We appreciate the management of Sandringham House Rest Home for inviting us to the Easter egg hunt event and for creating “a little heaven” at No. 12 and No. 14 Sandringham Street this Resurrection Sunday.
To God be the glory!
Photo: Celebrating Resurrection Sunday. From Sandringham House Rest Home Facebook page
