Indeed, even in the times of COVID-19, Christians around the world are in the midst of celebrating and observing Holy Week.  Perhaps we cling to these ritualistic remembrances even more than usual during this time of social isolation, changes in our patterns of living and our ways of worship.

I take great hope in the words of 1 Peter 1:3.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”  The translation I quoted from is the New International Version.

My prayer is that you and your family also find hope and comfort in these immortal words that Christians have read over the millennia. 

Many families and friends gather for a meal on Easter.  I expect this year will be different for those people who generally follow this practice because of the presence of COVID-19.  But food can often be a comfort to us.  One of my comfort foods is Cranberry Salad.

For years, Mama made this refreshing salad for Christmas as well as Easter.  She would occasionally make it at other times during the year.  It can be frozen;  this gives it an entirely different taste.  It’s pretty and pink;  I tried to take a picture of it, but despite my best attempts, none of the pictures turned out at all well.  As I’ve said before, a photographer I am not!

Cranberry Salad

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 can whole cranberry sauce

1 can drained, crushed pineapple

3 tablespoons sugar

1 cup Cool Whip

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1/2  cup pecans or almonds, if desired

Using a mixer, mix all ingredients.  Chill at least 3 hours before serving.  This may also be served frozen.  It’s quick and simple to make, and I really like that it can be served as either a side dish or dessert, unfrozen.  Frozen is for dessert.

When family and friends gather, stories that generate laughs often abound.  In these uncharted and uncertain times, I think we can all use a laugh or ever several.  I leave you with these jokes.

Many years ago, there was a gentleman who was peacefully driving down a country road.  All at once, a bunny hopped across the road.  There was no time to stop!  The gentleman hit the bunny head on and immediately stopped to survey the situation.  There, in the middle of the road, was the poor bunny, lying completely lifeless.  Now this was no ordinary field bunny.  This was the Easter Bunny!

The gentleman cried, “Oh, goodness!  I have committed an awful crime!  I have run over the Easter Bunny!  Now he is dead!  Boo-hoo!”

Another car was approaching from the opposite direction.  The driver of that car was a young lady, who immediately stopped to see if she could render aid.  The gentleman explained the situation and added, “There won’t be anyone now to deliver Easter eggs on Easter.  There will be millions of disappointed boys and girls.  Whatever shall I do?”

Immediately, the lady ran back to her car.  After opening the trunk, the lady came back with a spray bottle.  She doused the Easter Bunny with liquid from the bottle.  Practically instantly, he sprang up.  He ran off into the adjacent woods, stopped for a second, turned around and waved.  He repeated this a number of times.  Finally, the Easter Bunny was no longer in sight.

The gentleman had never seen anything like it and could scarcely believe his eyes.  The lady told him not to be surprised, because the liquid in the bottle was hare spray.  She explained, “It revitalizes hare and also adds a permanent wave.”

And some more:

Where did the Easter Bunny go when he needed a new tail?

To the re-tail store.

What do you call the Easter Bunny the day after Easter?

Egghausted!

Where did the Easter Bunny go to medical school?

Johns Hopkins!

Copyright April 6, 2020, by Rebecca Henderson