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Of all the holidays each year, Easter may be the one that symbolizes the greatest transformation in our world.

Coming as it does each Spring -- and believe it or not, the calendar does say Spring has arrived even if our weather does not show it -- Easter offers us signs of hope, rebirth and new life. It signifies the withering away of winter -- eventually -- and the start of a season of renewed energy and focus.

We have all spent a long five months hibernating from one of the toughest winters in many years. But the sun is slowly gaining strength and it brings with it another glimmer of that Easter hope each day.

At this time of year, Christians pause in their holiest week. The entire Lenten journey to Easter is the culmination of the great Christian story of sacrifice, resurrection and new life. It will be played out in churches around our region and world this weekend, in magnificient pageants and simple ceremonies.

But the message will stay the same: He came to save us all. We should give thanks, feel blessed and spread His joy to the rest of the world.

You don't have to be a church-attending Christian to sense some of this Easter spirit. It should live deep within each one of us, in the way we treat our families and neighbours, in the way we conduct business, in the way we protect our environment and care for the most vulnerable in our society.

Our world is so fast-paced and driven that we don't often take the time to step back, refocus and reflect. Easter gives us that time and we would do well to take that time.

Our world certainly needs a healthy dose of Easter renewal. The Middle East, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan remain cauldrons of hatred and war. We should remember our brave Canadian soldiers keeping the peace in Afghanistan -- for them it is another sacred holiday separated from family.

Our environment continues a certain march toward global warming and climate change. Are we doing enough to protect the world around us?

We are truly blessed in Metro Moncton and New Brunswick. Despite the many challenges we face as a small province in a huge global marketplace, our quality of life is unsurpassed. We can still drive a few miles and be by the sea, we can find quiet country roads or vibrant urban culture and nightlife within a few minutes of each other.

As a people, we retain our sense of people and place, firmly rooted between our heritage and history, and our uncharted future.

As you gather with family and friends this weekend, take time to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in this place. Give thanks and make a pledge to do your part to protect it.

Happy Easter!