Happy Easter, Capers! This is the second Easter in a row that I am spending in the Orlando airport. I referred to it last year as a "congregation of travelers." My kids are insisting that we color eggs when we get home, so please save us some down at Graul's!
I took this photograph of the cross outside Christ Our Anchor Presbyterian Church a couple of weeks ago. It's not a great shot. I'm still getting acquainted with my camera, but I've always liked this cross and wanted to use it for my Easter Cape Photo of the Day. While I don't espouse any particular religious faith, I grew up predominantly attending a Presbyterian church in Calfornia with a good dose of bible belt Methodist and Baptist fire and brimstone mixed in during summer visits with my extended South Carolina family.
The Presbyterian cross became associated with the tradition and teachings of the Scottish reformation led by John Knox in the 16th century. Even centuries before that, the ancient Celtic cross was adapted and elongated to express the emergence of Christianity in the land of pagan sun worshippers. It's a beautiful piece of symbolism that incorporates the oldest traditions of an ancient people with a new belief system.
Whatever the message that is conveyed to those who admire it, the Presbyterian/Celtic cross has to be appreciated for its simplicity of form. I think the circle softens the lines and suggests a completeness and ongoing cycle. Springtime is all about rebirth - a theme that resonates throughout the Easter story.
After spending this spring break in the Florida Keys, I've had an earful of Jimmy Buffett. A stanza from his song, Fruitcakes, pretty well sums up my feelings about religion:
... the God's honest truth is it's not that simple.
Its the Buddhist in you, it's the Pagan in me,
It's the Muslim in him, she's Catholic ain't she?
It's the born again look it's the WASP and the Jew,
Tell me what's going on, I ain't got a clue.
Happy Easter to those who embrace the cross or just love the Easter Bunny, and Chag Sameach to those of you celebrating Passover. Blessings of the season to all.
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