Why a giant rabbit and chocolate eggs?

Today is Easter. Yesterday on a trip to Target, I noticed how commercial Easter has become. The store was packed, and most of the traffic was grumpy, rushed looking people. I saw countless people in the toy section, buying enough that you'd think it was Christmas (which has become too commercial, as well, but not the topic today), and the special Easter section (mostly candy) was stuffed with people frantically digging through what was left of the bags of candy, yelling at their kids, and giving the evil eye to anyone who cut in front of them. I even saw a lady give my sweet little girl a mean look for geting in her way. Is this really the point?? Did Jesus get crucified, and on the third day, rise again as the Easter bunny? The answer to that is of course no, and everyone knows that, but does everyone remember the point of Easter in the first place? I think not. Easter isn't to celebrate spring, and it isn't to fill up on sugar, buy new dresses, and get lots of toys. In the words of a good friend of mine, Jesus didn't die on the cross so I could get a new iPod. Do you know how important this day is? Christmas is important, because its the celebration of Jesus' birth. But Jesus birth wouldn't mean nearly as much to us without Easter. Jesus, God's son, was without sin, perfect. He took our sins upon himself and paid our debt by dying on the cross. In that way, our sins, which we could never pay for, were erased. He did this, something none of us deserve, and rose again on the third day so that no one needs to be separated from God's love. No one is good enough for that gift, but now everyone can receive it. No matter what you've done, said, felt, thought, let happen...Jesus paid it off for you. I'm forgiven, because He was forsaken. That to me means more than any candy or presents. That is reason to celebrate. I'm not saying you can't celebrate this fact and have some delicious Cadbury eggs as well, but lets spend a little less time focusing on ourselves and our wants, and focus on the new life we've been given. Christ the Lord is risen today! Happy Easter!