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The girls were told to kneel and recite three prayers each; the Our Father and the Hail Mary. The boys were lightly whipped by the twelve inch strips of leather fastened together in a wooden handle. Afterwards, each child received a present.
This is my recollection of extended family Christmas parties. No matter which relative hosted the party, this same Santa Claus would show up about an hour after dinner. Some of the older cousins voiced, in hushed whispers, who they thought was dressed up as Santa. We could only speculate which uncle was in costume, as none of us dared to leave the room for two reasons. First, we did not want to bear the brunt of more punishment and second, we were kids, and we wanted presents.
This mean Santa story segues into the Easter holiday. Jesus spent time eating a meal with family and friends before going off to pray. He knew one person from his party would leave and come back to him a changed man. The disciples spoke in hushed whispers, looking around, not believing anyone would leave the group. This changed man; however, ushered in the brutality of the evening. Jesus accepted the suffering because he knew there was a gift at the end of his pain.
Can you recall kneeling in desperate prayer or being whipped physically or figuratively? At each instance you hoped for something good to come. As you read this, know that you are not suffering in vain. Jesus died and rose again to give us all a gift; the gift of life.
Jesus Christ has risen! He has risen indeed!
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