Hot Cross Buns

Early January 2011 I was waiting to have a new battery placed in my watch when the person behind the counter made an off the cuff remark ... a trolley load of goods were being pushed into the supermarket.

"Next week that trolley will carry hot cross buns."

I stared!  Pardon?  Why we hadn't had Valentine's Day yet, and surely chocolates and roses rated highly on the year's sales!

He was adamant, and sure enough, two weeks later when we did our grocery shopping, Hot Cross buns held pride of place just beyond the shopping trolleys.  

I refuse to purchase Hot Cross Buns until Easter.  Is Easter not the correct time to eat Hot Cross buns?  To me having a Hot Cross bun months before Easter is like eating Christmas cake in September.  

Yesterday happened to be our regular grocery shopping day, and yes, I did buy Hot Cross buns.  Two half-dozen lots in fact!  One packet from the supermarket and another from a small bakery.  Mmm, just by smelling I already know which ones will be the tastier!

Most of us know the meaning of the cross on the bun; we learn that from our parents, the Church or its junior partner, Sunday School, or from friends in the playground.  

What about today?  In this multicultural society that is Australia 'things religious' are skirted around.  Other religions must not be offended.  

The sad result is that many children today think that Easter is chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate; chocolate eggs, chocolate chickens, chocolate rabbits, chocolate anything!

Don't get me wrong, I like chocolate eggs, especially Turkish Delight ones that my daughter has kindly posted north ... and yes, I am holding off on opening them!

But isn't Easter worth remembering as a sacred time, a time to reflect upon things spiritual, a time to remember that Jesus gave his life on the cross?  And rose!

The photo is the Hot Cross buns from the small bakery ... they are glazed and smell delicious.  Tomorrow!!!