the butterfly.

I learned something new today and I wanted to share. I was thinking a lot about Easter and why we really celebrate it versus how we celebrate, so I wanted to find some of the symbolism behind things that often represent Easter. Some things are pretty obvious. Eggs, chicks, bunnies, flowers... all represent new life, just as Spring itself does -- the new life that is promised to all of us when our bodies and spirits are reunited in perfect form because of that Spring morning when Christ rose from the tomb after being crucified and then lying in a tomb for 3 days.

In my search for meaning behind all of the Easter bunny and egg decorating hype, I found a great explanation as to why we sometimes see the butterfly in the mix with everything else that may represent Spring and Easter. First we have the caterpillar who walks along the Earth, representing Christ's life on Earth. Then there is the cocoon stage, representing Christ's crucifixion and burial -- when he was lain in a tomb. Then comes the butterfly emerging from the cocoon transformed into a magnificent creature, just as Christ was raised from the dead--resurrected with a glorified body. I really enjoyed learning about this and hope it will give me an extra reminder of the blessing and promise that we will be resurrected into perfect bodies because Christ first was resurrected to set the way.

Happy Easter everyone!