Tikumu’s letter

Press, 11 April 1979, Page 22

Tikumu’s letter

Dear Readers, “Hot-cross buns-, Hot-cross buns, One-a-penny, two-a-penny, Hot-cross buns." This rhyme has a special meaning for us at Easter, which is a Christian festival with a message of deep significance in Christian countries throughout the world. According to ancient custom, hot-cross- buns on Good Friday were made of the dough kneaded for the host (holy bread), and were marked with the cross. The buns made from this dough were said to keep for one year without turning mouldy, and some people hung up one or more in their houses as a “charm against evil.”

The buns we eat are made differently, but the cross is there as a solemn reminder of the way in which Jesus Christ died on that Good Friday long ago. On the next day, Saturday, a number of people in Jerusalem had experiences which assured them that Jesus had not died, and as the news

spread the sorrow of C people changed to rejou ing.

And so, Easter Da, (Sunday) dawns with rin ing of church bells, am the day is one of thanks giving. Some people exchange Easter cards and small gifts; some make a special Simnel cake which is a light fruit cake cooked with almond paste in the middle. It is very nice.

Easter Bunny gladdens the hearts of the children with the Easter egg he brings. Easter eggs are meant to be symbols of new life. The custom is an ancient one which originated in the Northern Hemisphere, probably in the lands around Jerusalem, w'here Easter comes in spring-time.

But whatever the season and wherever they may be, Christian believers will be saying next Sunday: “A Happy Easter Day.” Today, Easter is for us a holiday as well as a religious festival, and so I can echo the greeting to you all: a happy Easter and a happy holiday. Tikumu.