[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 05/Apr/2026]
Easter, similarly to Christmas, is one of those wonderful times of year when chocolate seems entirely appropriate at any hour of the day. Shops are full of brightly wrapped eggs, children (and adults!) delight in hunting for them, and the mysterious Bunny makes his annual appearance, in homes around the country – somehow managing to deliver a remarkable amount of chocolate overnight (is that how it works?).
There’s something joyful and light-hearted about it all. The Easter Bunny, with his baskets of treats, brings smiles, laughter, and a little sweetness to our celebrations. And who among us hasn’t enjoyed cracking open a chocolate egg, often quite delicious, yet inescapably, a little more hollow inside than we’d like?
That image – a beautifully wrapped, hollow egg – offers a gentle moment for reflection. Because alongside the fun and sweetness of Easter traditions, we are invited into a deeper story.
At the true heart of Easter is not something hollow, but something wonderfully full. Not something that lasts for a moment, but something that transforms forever.
The Easter story reminds us of Jesus, who didn’t offer a gift wrapped in foil, but gave himself completely. Through his death and resurrection, he offers not just a fleeting joy, but a lasting hope. A hope that meets us in real life – in our questions, our struggles, our uncertainties – and quietly says, “There is more. There is life beyond this. There is love that does not run out.”
Chocolate eggs are delightful, but they don’t last long. The excitement fades, the wrappers are cleared away, and we move on. The gift of Jesus, however, is different. It is not dependent on circumstances or seasons. It doesn’t melt or disappear. It is steady, enduring, and deeply personal.
And perhaps that’s the gentle contrast Easter invites us to notice – not in a way that takes away from the fun, but in a way that enriches it.
We can enjoy the chocolate, laugh at the idea of a bunny delivering eggs, and still pause to receive something far greater. A hope that isn’t hollow, but full. A love that isn’t temporary, but eternal.
This Easter, as we unwrap our treats and share time with family and friends, perhaps we might also take a moment to reflect on the deeper gift being offered to us. A gift of new life. A fresh start. A hope that goes beyond what we can see. Because while the Easter Bunny may bring something sweet for a day. Jesus offers something far sweeter – himself – for a lifetime.
I pray your Easter is filled with joy, laughter, and just the right amount of chocolate. And may it also be a time when we rediscover the fullness of hope that Easter truly brings.
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Last Sunday’s reflection: Recognising Jesus by Helen Ruffhead
Contributed by Dazz Jones; © Dazz Jones