Mommy...Daddy...why does the Easter Bunny bring us candy?

What are we teaching our children about Easter?overwhelming gift that Easter brings us all. One
Who is the Easter Bunny and why does he bringconcept that surrounds the Easter season above all
candy? These can sometimes be tough yetothers... that gift is HOPE.
somewhat inevitable questions for any parent. MarkWhy hope? What is it? Arnold H. Glasow said that
Bulleit, founder of Imaginary Greetings and father ofthe most popular form of hope is expecting
three young children, shares his perspective on howsomething for nothing. Perhaps, but that use of the
any parent, regardless of religious preference, shouldword is somewhat slang. Hope is a gift given to each
answer this critical question.one of us. It's the possibility of triumph over
When Santa comes to town, the underlying lesson oftransgression. It's the strength in knowing that even
doing something for someone else, with nosometimes, under the most unfavorable odds, you
expectations of anything in return, is understood. Ican accomplish any dream. It's the serenity in
mean, teaching our children the meaning of Christmas,knowing that at the end of any long dark tunnel is an
on a level they can understand, is not always easy.opening to a whole new beginning. Come to think of
But, most of us know the point we are trying to getit, it's what gets me out of bed in the morning.
across to them. But what about Easter? What areHope is such a powerful asset. We hope for
you teaching your children and why?ourselves, our families, our children, our friends and
As a parent of young children I have had to recentlyneighbors, just about everyone we meet. From my
address this very topic. Daddy, why does the Easterlittle girl watching an olympic ice skater hoping that
Bunny bring us candy? Hmmm... my initial answer, "I'msomeday that will be her, to my neighbor hoping he
going to have to get back to you on this one." Sogets the promotion he's been waiting for, hope is
let's take a look at that question. Yep, kids do keepwhat makes all our dreams seem possible.
you on your toes.Easter signifies to the Christian community the
According to the most recent census shows thatresurrection of Christ and the origination of hope by
82% of all U.S. citizens claim to be Christian. Thisevery sense of the word. And Easter also marks the
percentage is even higher in many other majorbeginning of Spring when nature re-creates life giving
countries around the world. The heart of the Christianall things a natural sense of hope's very existence.
philosophy is the remembrance of Christ'sEaster is a time to reflect on the gift of hope that
resurrection and the promise of his everlastingwe all have been given. And think of the the Easter
presence. And, Easter is the time for remembering aBunny as an extension of this reflection on a level
completely selfless unspoken bond, between us all,which our children can somewhat understand.
strong enough to withstand an endurance of suchSo back to our original question, "Daddy, why does
pain, suffering and ultimately death, so that all couldthe Easter Bunny bring me candy?" My answer, "Well,
be forgiven.for now, just know that it is a very special time for
But regardless of your religious preference, Easterall of us and the Easter Bunny just wants to make
can mean so many things. It's the beginning of Spring,sure it truly is for you too and that you are not left
a time to witness re-birth all around us from theout. Hope is a gift to all who choose to accept it. I
grass below our feet to the birds that fly way abovehope you understand...
our heads. However, I believe there is one