This weekend, children across the area will be eagerly hunting for eggs and hoping for baskets brimming with goodies delivered by Peter Cottontail himself.

Easter hams with all the &#8220fixins'” will be consumed, and doubtless, long Easter naps will be enjoyed by some of the older celebrants who over-indulge in their Easter dessert.

And yet, as Father Fred Lindstrom of St. Thomas Episcopal Church reminded those attending the Good Friday service, &#8220If there were no Good Friday, there would be no Easter.”

Jesus' exemplary life, tortuous death on the cross, and glorious resurrection give believers much more to celebrate this Sunday than a prize egg, a basketful of candy or a rib-sticking meal.

Easter celebrates life, a life more abundant and one everlasting.

It celebrates love, the endless, boundless, unimaginable love of God for each of us, no matter how unlovable, unforgivable or unlovely we may feel.

Easter celebrates a new beginning, the clearing away of the old, unusable and unnecessary. It is a chance to lay down those burdens that weigh us down. Think of Easter as spring cleaning for the soul.

&#8220For God so loved the world He gave us His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

That's what Easter is all about.