Calvin Synod Herald, 2012 (113. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2012-03-01 / 3-4. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD The Easter Lily’s History and Christian Meaning Today's Easter Lilies decorate many Christian churches and homes on Easter. Easter Lilies have a history and meaning tied to the Bible and a myth from the middle Ages that makes them symbols of Jesus' resurrection for Christians today. Though the Bible does not specifically mention Easter Lilies, the lily appears in the Old Testament in several places. The prophet Hosea specifically mentions the lily in a context foreshadowing Easter, when Yahweh promises that the repentant Israel will blossom as the lily (Hosea 14:5). In the New Testament, Jesus uses a metaphor with a lily during his Sermon on the Mount as he tells his listeners not to worry about life. He says, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:28- 29) In Biblical times, some people would see lilies in the fields of their native Israel and many would have been comforted by Triumphal Entry Continuedfrom page 5 would you feel that you had nothing, or would you still feel that you had everything you needed in Christ? Let me ask you some questions, In light of what is ahead, how do you now define what is "important"? In light of Heaven, how will you deal with difficult times and people differently? In light of what is ahead how will you change your approach to your non-Christian friends and family? What effect does the promise of Heaven have on your anxieties? How do thoughts of Heaven affect the choices you make regarding possessions and enjoyments? How will these truths affect your enthusiasm for living? When you and I stop and think of where we were when the Father found us, when we consider the means that He used to draw us to Himself, when we think about what life would have been like without Him, we can’t help but be moved to gratitude. And when we think about what is in store for everyone who believes, when we think about the glory of standing in the crowd in Heaven to praise our gracious Lord, when we think about that day when we will no longer hunger or thirst, when all dangers will be abolished, where the living water is our refreshment and all our tears dried, when we think about that day when the Shepherd will lead us, we too will find ourselves lifting the Palm Branches to sing Hosanna. And periodically we will find ourselves swept up in the wonder of anticipation and we too will say, "Father, we just want to thank you for tomorrow. S.T. the belief that God cares for them as God does for the lilies. One Easter connection certainly is the Biblical call for Christians to grow and bloom, like lilies, as they trust in Jesus’ resurrection. There is a legend that is associated with Easter Lily - White Lilies in the Garden of Gethsemane. A myth involving white lilies at the Garden of Gethsemane the night before Jesus’ trial and crucifixion connected white lilies to Easter celebrations during the middle Ages. According to the myth, Jesus’ disciples found white lilies blooming triumphantly all over the Garden of Gethsemane on Easter Day in every place that Jesus had walked, prayed, sat, or wept the night before his crucifixion. Everywhere a drop of Jesus’ sweat touched the ground in his agony, a fragrant white lily now stood tall and rejoiced in Jesus’ victory. Since the middle Ages, white lilies have symbolized Jesus’ resurrection and the new life of Easter. Paintings of Jesus’ resurrection often include white lilies to symbolize Jesus’ suffering and triumph over death. The pure white lily is also a symbol of Mary, Mother of Jesus. In medieval art, the Angel Gabriel is pictured extending to Mary a branch of pure white lilies, announcing that she is to be the mother of the Christ Child. In other paintings, saints are pictured bringing vases full of white lilies to Mary and the infant Jesus in honor of Jesus’ resurrection. Though white lilies have symbolized Easter for centuries, the large, the star-shaped Easter Lilies that are popular in Christian churches today are relatively new to the celebration of Easter. The Easter Lily, cilium long forum, is native to the southern islands of Japan. After Americans opened trade with Japan in the mid-19th century, the Japanese began selling these white flowers as Easter Lilies to the United States and other Western countries for Easter festivities. After World War II, trade with Japan ceased, and growers in the United States and Canada expanded their production of Easter Lilies to meet the booming market. Today, the once Japanese lilies are now visible symbols of Easter for many worldwide as they enjoy Easter Lilies in their churches, workplaces, and homes for the Easter season. The Easter Lily reflects Biblical and medieval traditions and continues to delight many on Easter with its fragrant blooms, cheerful white blossoms, and powerful symbolism of Jesus’ resurrection.T
