Published April 2009 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd. "Easter's On Its Way!" Easter's on its way! What a wonderful and joyous time of year this is. It is celebrated with Easter eggs and Easter baskets; Easter rabbits and chocolate bunnies; Easter dresses and Easter bonnets; and jelly beans and songs. The people of our state can take special pride in knowing that it was a West Virginian, Mr. Jack Rollins of Keyser (1906-1973), who composed what has become one of the most popular and beloved Easter songs, "Peter Cottontail." I just love those happy, joyful lyrics that tell of the Easter Rabbit "hopping down the bunny trail." The beautiful lyrics of this happy Easter song give their attention to Peter Cottontail, who is "bringing every girl and boy, baskets full of Easter joy." "He's got jelly beans for Tommy, Colored eggs for sister Sue, There's an orchid for your Mommy And an Easter bonnet, too." But the most important thing is that, wherever he goes, the Easter Bunny showers his blessings on all people. I like to think that this is a happy, joyous time of year for all of West Virginia's children. But we must never forget, as they say of Christmas, the "real reason for the joy." For Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the essence of our religion. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ are the premier events in world history. Christians all over the world celebrate this most sacred and holy Easter season. But, I urge my fellow West Virginians who are of the Christian faith to think about the true meaning of the suffering and resurrection of Christ more often than just at Easter. I believe that Christians should try to take at least a few minutes of each day to meditate about what the resurrection event means to each of us personally, and what it has meant to mankind. Let us read the powerful message found in Luke 24: 1-3 (KJV) often. "Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus." Happy Easter to all and may you enjoy God's holy blessings during this Easter season and throughout the year.