Do Bunnies Lay Eggs?

I was troubled at Christmas and yet again, troubled at Easter. I wonder if this will only be for a season, but truly pray that it isn't and that my conviction remains as long as there is a desperate need in this world. 

Please don't get me wrong, I don't hate Santa or the Easter Bunny (although I don't really understand the whole bunny thing), but watching the numerous posts of children receiving a large, and I mean LARGE, amount of unnecessary, short lived gifts during these "holidays," are so troublesome to me. The time, resources and money spent on such items have left my stomach in knots. It doesn't hurt so bad when I compare my child to those in America, but comparing him to those of his native country (and really the rest of the world)... WOW... the Easter Bunny just sounds silly. 

Please teach your children truth, Jesus dying on the cross & rising 3 days later, Baby Jesus being born to the Virgin Mary, the Hope in these stories,  the amazing, undeserved love in these stories, the need for these stories. May our children not be disappointed when or if Santa doesn't show up. May they not be sad when the Easter Bunny doesn't pay a visit. May they be taught by you & me & their Sunday School teachers & their church families that there are soooo many children in the world that are waiting for food, clean water, a family, and all they have is Jesus. Jesus is enough and no Santa or Bunny will ever, in their life, visit them. May they grow up understanding reality & not false tales.

This isn't intended to guilt anyone or cause children to "miss out" on anything, but it's so incredibly important that our focus is always on Him. And yes sometimes, even our traditions, get in the way of what today is all about. (Be on the lookout in 2015 for a way to get involved globally to share with other children the true meaning of Easter.)

(Eli's first Easter - At least we have another year to figure out how to explain this picture to him) 

P.S. Most will read this post, because of the picture attached... I'm ok though with reeling you in that way... I admit it. I even considered including a picture of a beautiful, slightly malnourished, child from Africa with their Easter baskets & bunny ears, but had a rather hard time finding one... Hmmm? Wonder why? 

And just in case you were wondering, like myself... Bunnies don't lay eggs.