What is Easter Really About: Easter Eggs or Jesus Christ?
It is fair to say that Easter has become synonymous with Easter eggs more so than its association with Jesus Christ. So, what is Easter and why is it celebrated? Let's start with the Easter eggs and its possible origins since it's the most prevalent thing we are presented with during Easter.

Origins of Easter Eggs
Easter eggs has its origins in paganism. It comes from an Eastern European pagan practice, where eggs were seen as a symbol of regeneration linked to the Spring season. The early Christians adopted this practice and adapted it to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This marked the beginnings of Easter eggs being used for Easter celebrations.

The custom of Painting Easter Eggs
The custom of dyeing and painting Easter eggs dates back to the ancient times. It was part of the Eastern Orthodox and Western traditions. The Christian Church during their Holy week, would not allow the consumption of meat or animal-based products which included eggs. Therefore, eggs laid by chickens during this season were decorated to show they were Holy week eggs. This was done to distinguish the eggs that were not meant for consumption and it led to the introduction of egg decoration as part of Easter celebration.

The Easter Egg Hunt
The Easter egg hunt possibly originated from Germany in the 16th century when Martin Luther, a protestant reformer organised an event. At this event, men would hide eggs for women and children to find in recognition of Christ’s resurrection. Particularly highlighting the resurrection scene where women found Christ's empty tomb and used hollowed-out empty egg shells to depict Christ's empty tomb. Easter egg hunts has since grown in popularity and is widely practiced by Christians in various countries today.

Though Easter eggs gives a nod to the resurrection of Jesus, it does not tell the full story of the gospel. Not only that, it originated from paganism and is not based on the Bible. Jesus is the reason for Easter. He died on the cross for us, handling all our sins, along with everything that separated us from God. What Jesus did restored our relationship with God, giving us life eternal and making us recipients of God's Holy Spirit. So that we can achieve God's plans for our lives. That knowledge, must never be forgotten. Jesus said this in John 11:25-26:

"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die."
John 11:25-26

Jesus is the only one who can give life after death. A privilege that is available to all who believes in him. This is what we call the good news or the gospel and is the reason why we celebrate Easter.  This Easter, let's remember that Jesus died for us and celebrate that he rose again, giving us the gift of eternal life with God the Father.

Have a Happy Easter!

Happy Mother's Day to all the nurturing soldiers out there. And to those who have lost a mother and lost a heart because of it, may the Lord fill your heart with love today. In Jesus name, amen. Stay blessed and keep on going!

You may find yourself in a helpless situation but when you have Jesus, you can never be hopeless. God is ever present with you and will never leave you hopeless. He is always after your best interest, even when it seems like he's distant. The Bible says,

"God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us... and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us."
- 2 Corinthians 1:9-10, NIV -

Stay hopeful and keep on going!

Just like a manufacturer has an instruction manual on how to operate a product, the Lord has the know-how of how we can achieve his purpose. So, it makes sense to ask him to help us achieve his purpose for our lives. As you say this prayer,  may the Lord help you identify whatever he's created you to do, in Jesus name, amen. Stay blessed and keep on going!

Love is not divisive, isolating, clicky, inferior nor is it superior to anyone. It's forgiving, embracing accommodating, encouraging, uniting, no respecter of persons, humbling and unconditional. These are things worth remembering when celebrating Valentine’s day. That said, Valentine's day could bring up negative emotions in those who don't have anyone to share it with. But what if I told you genuine love has nothing to do with making anyone feel worse off, but should make everyone feel like they matter. That is, the kind of love God showed us, when he gave up Jesus for us and it's that kind of love we should show others. Knowing that the world always takes what God meant for good and turn it into something materialistic, it's important to note that materialism cannot breed love. Rather, it's the thought behind the loving actions we take that's important.

On that note, how did Valentine’s day begin? There are various narratives of how it originated. It was said that Valentine's day started as a pagan festival and was celebrated yearly in Rome in the month of February. The aim, was to help people find love. But it was the martyrdom of St.Valentine for his Christian faith, that led to the introduction of Valentine’s Day celebration for Christians. St.Valentine, a Roman clergyman, was known for ministering to persecuted Christians and for marrying couples at a time when marriage was deemed illegal. He was martyred by a Roman Emperor. After his death, the Pope declared St.Valentine’s day as a way to mark the anniversary of his death.

Concerning the Christian faith which St.Valentine practiced, God gave us Christians two clear commandments. The first was to love God and the other, to love others the same way we love ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). Something I imagine St.valentine demonstrated when he ministered to persecuted Christians and lost his life for it. So, why would such a love not be celebrated? The Bible says in 1 John 4:16 that 'God is love'. A love that is unmerited and unconditional. St.Valentine clearly demonstrated God’s love in that regard.

That said, assuming Valentine’s day did originate from a pagan festival, it would raise some questions. One would have to ask: “If pagans could have their take on love, why shouldn't Christians be at the forefront championing love? Or “If God is truly love, why shouldn't Christians be the ones showing the world what unadulterated love should look like? It's the very reason I celebrate Valentine's day. To celebrate the love God has for us and to share that Godly love with others. Every Valentine’s day is different, but my aim remains the same, to fill my town with love notes. Encouraging others, one love note at at time. Because,

'Pleasant words are like honey. They are sweet to the spirit and bring healing to the body.'
-Proverbs 16:24, NIRV-

Encouraging others with something as little as kind words can do wonders for one’s spirit. It’s not always about buying, it’s about giving love, which can be inexpensive but thoughtful.

Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day! Remember, showing love to others should be a 365-day expression and not just a once a year occurrence. Enjoy the day and spread some Godly love. Will leave you with a song by 'Called Out' called 'Avalanche' in appreciation of God’s love for us and our love for each other.

Stay blessed and keep on going!

We... have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope.
- Romans 5:3-4, New Century Version -

The Winter Lights is one event I love attending for one main reason: It’s about being creative with lights. Something that has existed since time of creation. Genesis 1 vs 3 says this about light:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
-Genesis 1:3 -

God used light to brighten the earth and made it beautiful. It’s why I keep revisiting the Winter Lights from time to time to remind myself of the beauty God gave us in the form of light. Enjoy my highlights from Winter Lights 2025.

Stay blessed and keep on going!

Joined fellow christians to pray the Lord's prayer over the UK on 12th January 2025 at 12pm. We pray for God's will to be done in our nation, in Jesus name, amen. This call to pray for the UK was raised by United Christian Broadcasters in Partnership with Premier Christian Radio. It's a prayer that can be prayed beyond this day. Want to say a prayer for the United Kingdom or your own nation? Why not start today by saying the Lord's prayer for the Lord to help our nation. Stay bessed and keep on going!

The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
_ Matthew 6:9-13, NKJV -