Can you believe it?  We not only made it to 2007, but it is already "Easter". Where has the time gone? The  long weekend designated "Easter" is related to celebrations in three religious traditions. In Judaism, it represents "pascha" or Passover when the "death angel," reaping the firstborn of an obstinate Egypt, "skipped" over the homes of Israelites. The obedient Israelites had painted the blood of a sacrificial lamb on the doorposts and lintels of their shacks, Exodus 12:7. That resulted in their being spared the same fate and the event precipitated the Jewish exodus from the bondage in Egypt. Pagans, on the other hand, celebrated their idol goddess, Ishtar, the counterpart to Artemis of the Ephesians. This was really a Spring festival having to do with the  natural cycle of the seasons. Roman Catholic tradition "Christianized" this pagan festival by changing its emphasis from the "re-awakening of nature" in the Northern hemisphere to a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.The name "Ishtar" was altered to "Easter" (note the similarity in pronunciation). Many non-Catholic traditions later adopted and adapted this festival into their religious calendar. There is no Biblical authority for these practices. The only place "Easter" ever appeared in an English Bible was in the King James Version in Acts  12:4 where it was erroneously used to translate the Greek word pascha, which has subsequently been corrected in all later translations to the correct word, "Passover." 

Dr. Jack Evans used to question the term "Good Friday." He said, "I don't see that term in the Scripture -- every Friday is a 'good' Friday if it's payday!" On this past "good" Friday, a religious radio broadcast conducted by a Jesuit priest  from Johannesburg detailed what Roman Catholics invented, called the "Stations of the Cross." They postulated twelve of them: (1) Jesus is condemned; (2) He takes up the Cross; (3) His first fall; (4) Jesus is met by His mother, Mary; (5) A passerby takes the cross; (6) Veronica (?) wipes His face with a towel and an impression of Jesus' face is left on that towel; (7) Jesus falls again; (8) He meets the women of Jerusalem; (9) Jesus falls a third time; (10) He is stripped of His garment; (11) He is nailed to the Cross; (12) He dies on the Cross. Perhaps now you can see why the Bible warns us to have nothing to do with myths and old wives' tales, 1 Timothy 4:7. Veronica? Who is Veronica, pray tell?

But I like this time called "Easter," don't you? Easter in South Africa means those delicious "Hot Cross Buns."  Chocolate eggs and chocolate bunnies are nice, too, but my mythological diet won't permit me to indulge. (Shhh! I do when Donna isn't looking). The gleaming, fragrant cinnamon-flavored buns with the little white cross "embossed" on them are best served "hot" or fresh from the oven. There is an old ditty that goes,  "One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns, Please put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't a penny, a ha'penny will do. If you haven't a ha'penny, may God bless you."  You certainly won't get a hot cross bun for a penny today. It's more like 200 pennies per bun now.  Ah well, 2007 is here! Spring is knocking on the door. Meanwhile in Africa, the hot cross buns will soon leave us with both mirth and girth. Move forward with the year. Enjoy! Smile! Rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord. Love you all, Al , the Horne of Africa.

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