“You have been given new life with Christ.”  ~  Colossians 3:1

“Spring has sprung. The grass has riz. I wonder where the birdie is.” We don’t know who wrote these silly words, but they remind us that spring is almost here.

Do you like to watch and feed the birds around your home? Since some birds fly to a warmer place for the winter, it’s a happy day when they come back again. Have you noticed any little green sprouts poking up through the ground or on the tree branches? Spring is popping out all around us.

Spring is the time for new life. It’s also the time we celebrate Easter. For many people, Easter means flowers and bunnies and eggs. How can flowers, bunnies, and eggs make you think of new life?

If you go to church or your family reads the Bible together, you already know the real story of “new life.” Not very long ago, we celebrated Christmas—the birthday of Jesus, God’s little boy. When that baby grew up to be a man, he died to wash away all of our sins, all of our yuck. What’s so amazing is that Jesus didn’t stay in the cold, dark ground. He came alive again! And that’s why we celebrate Easter.

Christmas is like a big birthday party for Jesus. Easter is like a big “new life” birthday party for him. When Jesus got his new life, he went to live with his Father God in heaven. Now Jesus wants to give each of us a new life, too. In the Bible, this is called being “born again.” (See John 3:3 and 1 Peter 1:23)

Do you know how to get this new, forever life? It starts out as easy as praying, “Jesus, I want this new life. Someday I want to live in heaven with you.” Your mom and dad or Sunday school teacher can help you understand this better. As you read and learn and pray, you’ll grow up to be who God wants you to be.

There’s more to Christmas than bright lights, decorated trees, and presents; and there’s more to Easter than colored eggs in a basket and marshmallow bunnies. Both of these special days are reminders that Jesus loves YOU and wants YOU to have this new life that will last forever.