Traditions Cause the Joy of Easter to Linger
The fabric that weaves a culture together from one generation to the next, besides love, is tradition. Richly displayed during a culture’s holidays and religious ceremonies, families find hope and joy in these activities. The stability of what has bound them together in the past continues when they gather again for their next celebration.
Every time I hear the word “Tradition,” strains from “Fiddler on the Roof” hum through my mind. And flashes of the actors’ lithe movements dance on the movie screen in my head.
As a third generation American/Italian, I indulge myself in the traditions of our culture, especially when it comes to baking and cooking. The art of creating Easter Bread holds a sacred place in our family. Rich in meaning, the rising of the Easter bread symbolizes the rising of Christ. My Mom would always wait until Holy Saturday afternoon to make Easter bread out of respect for Christ’s death and burial, awaiting the joyous celebration of His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Because of the involved process of kneading the dough twice and the time of waiting for the dough to rise, I began to create our Easter bread early on Holy Saturday.
I began working the dough in my single days, standing next to my mother. Her gentle voice would guide me regarding the amount of pressure to apply and the feel of a stretchy texture in the dough rubbing against the palms of my hand. Mom rarely followed a recipe. Her outstanding cooking and baking were an art developed by taste and texture. But for me, I needed a recipe to follow.
One Sunday, Mom and I discovered a recipe in the magazine section of an old style Los Angeles Times newspaper. At last, I had a step-by-step process that I could follow when doubt niggled at my mind as to how much flour I needed before the dough became stiff instead of pliable.
This is the recipe I’ve used since Tom and I were married. When the golden wreath-shaped loaf with a light glaze of confectioner’s icing adorned with colored eggs was laid on the table, our family gave thanks for Christ’s death and resurrection. Then Hubby Tom would carefully tilt the bread on its side and lightly carve a cross on the underneath side of the bread lest we forget the symbol of what we were eating. We continued this tradition almost every year until my Mom met Jesus, the source of her tradition.
When I attempted this year to rekindle the tradition of making Easter Bread, I could tell I had lost the touch. While I measured all the ingredients accurately, kneading the dough carefully (with a few extra strokes) and raising the dough even higher than normal, the bread looked over-baked in a shorter time in the oven. On Easter morning, we blessed the bread, but it was dry.
The tradition which carried the Easter season through the next week was missing. The bread, iced and adorned with colored eggs, rested on our refrigerator shelves stuffed into freezer bags. Not one dunk in the week’s morning coffee. We just stared at it, hoping someone might be brave enough to taste it again. However, Italian cannoli, stuffed by me, was a yummy substitute.
The un-iced Easter Bread already looking dry, even though I cooked it in less time. 
Cannoli became a sweet reminder of Easter throughout the week.
The Easter season continues and our focus remains on those days following Christ’s resurrection. His time with His disciples. The meeting of the two on the Road to Emmaus. How their hearts burned within them when a stranger greeted them on the way, joined them for dinner, and broke the bread. He disappeared, and suddenly their eyes were opened as they recognized Jesus as He broke the bread with them.
In looking back, I’ll discover what I had done differently. In that, Jesus will help me unravel the mystery. Before we hit Ascension Thursday, I will probably have tried to make another loaf of Italian Easter bread and scribbled notes on my recipe for next year as I relearn this sacred tradition.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
Linking with: Remember Me Mondays; Inspire Me Mondays; Let’s Have Coffee; Lisa Notes
Janis,
As I read your post it brought to mind how in our lives we also lose the softness and compliance when we are busy with things and not practicing life in the presence of the Savior. Then when we find realize our dryness sometimes it takes a bit of time of practice to get back that softness and sweetness of relationship. Oh the Grace of God that calls us to walk with him daily.
And when we return He welcomes us to enjoy that soft and sweet delight again.
Just thought I’d share my thoughts on your words.
Love you dear sister.
What a great analogy, Julie! Our Lord is so gracious in welcoming us back when we’re dry due to lack of contact with Him. He restores us and makes our relationship with Him fresh again. Love you, too, Julie.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
I’ve never heard of Easter bread! It looks really cool :). I love bread–any bread. I’d probably choose fresh bread over cookies any day ;).
Anita, thank you for stopping by. I love fresh baked bread, too. Slather the warmth with butter, and I, too, could probably pass up some sweet thing.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
It’s always interesting to learn about different traditions and the Easter bread looks lovely! I have Fiddler On The Roof in my head now too – it doesn’t take much to get a tune going in my mind!
Hi Lesley,
It’s fun to learn about other culture’s traditions and celebrations. Thank you for the compliment on my Easter bread. I actually tried a piece this morning and it was yummier than the first day! I guess good things happen in the waiting (and the fridge). Love that “Fiddler on the Roof” is running through your mind. That’s called an “earworm,” in case you never heard that term before. My hubby is the music specialist in our home.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
Janis, what a wonderful article. I love this. Thank you so much for sharing. Blessings.
Hi Paula,
I’m glad you enjoyed the article! I’ll have to hop over to your site.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
I tried making fresh bread during 2020 and found I loved doing it. There is something therapeutic about the mixing, kneading, and then aroma that brought me comfort and peace. Your Easter bread looks lovely and of course, I love seeing these Italian recipes and traditions.
Hi Joanne,
Oh, I know what you mean about the aroma of making bread. Even in the kneading and rising, there’s that flavorful yeasty aroma. And when it comes out of the oven, it’s even more heavenly. I’m glad you found the process of making bread therapeutic last year. It seemed baking helped a lot of people last year! I’m so glad we share in this heritage. Thank you for your compliment on the bread. This morning, I had a piece straight from the fridge…and it tasted better than on Easter morning. Something about the waiting (spiritual reflection?).
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
Oh, how I want to try this, Janis! Sometimes things don’t turn out right – but He doesn’t want us to give up! I’m looking forward to seeing you make them – and happily dunk them in your coffee! What a beautiful tradition!
Hi Maryleigh, You should really try making this! You are such a fantastic baker of many yummy goodies. I’m sure this would turn out great for you as well. Just use the plain confectioner’s sugar, milk, and vanilla for a light glaze. Much better.
I’m determined to try again. I love this tradition so steeped in family memories with my Mom and rich in spiritual meaning. While searching the internet for clues as to what might have gone wrong with my bread, I ran across a site called, “There’s an Italian in my kitchen.” She mentioned another symbolism in this particular loaf of bread. After the second kneading, when all the fruit and extras are added, the bread is divided and rolled into two long ropes. Then the ropes are braided and formed into a wreath. That wreath form represents the crown of thorns on Jesus’ head. I forgot to put that in the very long post.
Thank you for coming by.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis