4-05-2026 10:39pm

Happy Easter!

John Williams Editor

Photo by Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, celebrated by Christians as the foundation of their faith, occurring three days after his crucifixion, which took place during the Jewish Passover around 30 A.D.. The holiday blends early Christian religious traditions with ancient pagan festivals celebrating spring, fertility, and new life.

www.christianity.org.uk +4Christian Origins (Resurrection)

The Passion: Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and resurrected on Sunday (Easter Sunday) in Jerusalem, a narrative central to the New Testament.
Link to Passover: Easter is tied to the Passover because the Last Supper (Maundy Thursday) was a Passover meal, and Jesus is considered the "Lamb of God," sacrificing his life during the festival.
Early Disputes: Early Christians celebrated Easter on different days. The Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.) decreed that Easter should fall on the Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, a method that keeps it tied to the lunar cycle. www.christianity.org.uk +5

Pagan and Spring Roots

Goddess Eostre: The name "Easter" is believed to derive from Eostre (or Ostara), an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility.
Fertility Symbols: Rabbits and eggs are ancient symbols of fertility and rebirth. They were adopted into Christian celebrations as symbols of new life, representing the resurrection.
Easter Eggs: Eggs were forbidden during Lent, so they were painted and decorated to be eaten on Easter, a tradition that grew during the Middle Ages.
The Easter Bunny: The legend of a rabbit hiding eggs in the garden, or "Easter Hare," originated in German folklore and was brought to America by German immigrants, with the first mentions of it in 1722. www.christianity.org.uk +3

Traditions and Meaning

Food: Eating lamb is a common tradition, representing the "Lamb of God" and the traditional Passover sacrifice.
Easter Lily: Representing purity and innocence, the white lily became associated with the resurrection.
Evolution: While deeply rooted in religious significance, Easter has also become a secular holiday with traditions like egg hunts and commercialized chocolate treats. YouTube +4
(From a Variety of Sources)