Christian Latina Leadership Blog

By Becky Klein 

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“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants” Deuteronomy 32:2.

Spring is full of symbolism and meaning for all people who follow God and His teachings. The spring months are ones of transformation and transition. During this season we begin our pivot from the cold clutches of winter to the warm embrace of summer. The days shift from being mostly dark, to mostly light. 

Throughout the spring months we detect with each of our five senses the many changes that usher in the new season: We can see the green growth overtaking the brown, cold, wet earth; We can hear the birds chirping like a symphony orchestra preparing for a concert; We can feel the warm and humid climate moisturizing our skin; We can smell the clean dew on the grass and the rain in the air; and we can taste the luscious flavors of seasonal foods like spring peas, pineapples, and strawberries. 

And for some of us, our moods are elevated from the depths of depression to the heights of love and joy. We come out of our internal isolation to enjoy the light of community and activity. As flowers bloom and animals are born, we are reminded of innocence, beauty, and new life all around us. Spring is telling us to fill your days with enthusiasm for life and leave behind the old dead parts of your existence. Spring has sprung!

Not only do we experience spring through our senses, but we also practice rituals and traditions that celebrate rebirth, rejuvenation, freedom, and redemption. For example, Easter and Passover are two traditions that Christians and Jews, respectively, celebrate during the transformational months of spring. 

For many Christians, Easter is even more important than Christmas. That is because Easter celebrates Jesus’ purpose for coming to earth, and his transformation from death to life by means of his resurrection.

Do you ever wonder why in some societies the egg is the sentinel symbol of Easter? According to The Easter Book by Francis X. Weiser, S.J., “[t]he origin of the Easter egg is based on the fertility lore of the Indo-European races. To our pre-Christian ancestors, it was a most startling event to see a new and live creature emerge from a seemingly dead object. The egg to them became a symbol of spring. Long ago in Persia, people used to present each other with eggs at the spring equinox, which for them also marked the beginning of a new year.”

Jews celebrate Passover every spring (generally March or April) to remember and hold sacred the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and the tyranny they suffered under the Pharoah. The Passover Seder is a ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Passover holiday. As part of the Seder dinner plate, the egg signifies an important role. While the egg recalls mourning of the loss of the Jewish Holy Temple, it also is a symbol of birth which is a key theme during Passover. It is through the Israelite’s slavery in Egypt and their subsequent redemption that the nation of Israel was born. 

As we look forward to continue enjoying the Spring season, let us be grateful for all the many seasonal symbols and ritual experiences that remind us of God’s promise for a future of freedom and hope.  Whether it’s the green leaves budding from trees; the warm breeze blowing through your hair; or the egg in your refrigerator; these symbols are a testament to God’s assurances of newness, revitalization, and liberation of our hearts and minds. 

“They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.” (Job 29:23).