How the virus stole Easter is a poem by Kristi Bothur. It is a delight to be sharing with her permission. Besides the poem, I’m including at the end a link to a previous whimsical blog post on 8,385 jelly beans!
To begin with some background, the poem first came to my attention in a group email from a P.E.O. girlfriend yesterday, “With a nod to Dr. Seuss”. Then upon writing Kristi last night she graciously replied approving my sharing here at AnchoredScraps. Thank you again Kristi!
Also, check out the poem on her website ThisSideOfHeavenBlog; the archives show her blogging since April 2011!
How the virus stole Easter by Kristi Bothur
‘Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began,
Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.People were sick, hospitals full,
Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.As winter gave way to the promise of spring,
The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen.
They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.April approached and churches were closed.
“There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed.“There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out.
No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.”Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest.
The world was focused on masks and on tests.“Easter can’t happen this year,” they proclaimed.
“Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.”Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went.
The virus pressed on; it just would not relent.The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed.
The virus still menaced, the people, estranged.“Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling.
“They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming.“They’re just waking up! I know just what they’ll do!
Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo.“That noise,” said the world, “would be something to hear.”
So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear.And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies.
It started down low, then it started to rise.But the sound wasn’t depressed.
Why, this sound was triumphant!
It couldn’t be so!
But it grew with abundance!The world stared around, popping its eyes.
Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise!Each saint in each nation, the tall and the small,
Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine
Stood puzzling and puzzling.
“Just how can it be?”“It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies,
It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.”Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before.
“Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.”And what happened then?
Well….the story’s not done.
What will YOU do?
Will you share with that one
Or two or more people needing hope in this night?
Will you share of the source of your life in this fight?The churches are empty – but so is the tomb,
And Jesus is Victor over death, doom, and gloom.So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer,
As the virus still rages all around, everywhere.May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people.
May the world see the Church is not a building or steeple.
May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection,
May the world find Joy in a time of dejection.
May 2020 be known as the year of survival,
But not only that –
Let it start a revival.
8,385 jelly beans!
Before closing, I’m still fondly remembering my blog post on 8,385 Jelly Beans from April 4, 2015.
My thanks again to my P.E.O. girlfriend for referring me to How the virus stole Easter. I love how it led me to connecting with the Author, Kristi Bothur and getting to share it here today.
Join me tomorrow for my Easter Sunday blog post as we conclude our Easter themed weekend. Until then wishing you a peaceful evening.
How the virus stole Easter Attribution & Thank you to the following who I am referencing today
AnchoredScraps
