easter

Easter is a Christian holiday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.   It all began nearly 2000 years ago when, according to scripture,  Jesus Christ appeared to his followers before his ascent into Heaven.

The promise of new life lead to the celebration we now know as Easter.  This Holy day is always on a Sunday, marking the end on Lent,  which is a 40 day period of fasting and reflection.  

Eggs and seeds are out of which most new life begins.  The egg hunt originated with Pagan spring festivals to celebrate fertility, and the practice was later intertwined with Christianity with religious significance.  In medieval Europe, eggs were banned during Lent,  then included in the Sunday feast.  As a symbol of the very beginnings of new life, chicken eggs and baby chicks adorn many Easter decorations.  The eggs are often brightly colored so as to find them in the garden during the spring celebration egg hunt.  

Celebrations of spring and fertility began before the birth of Christ.  Rabbits breed quickly, and a natural sign of spring, as fields were often overrun with baby bunnies.  A story retold accounts for the association of bunnies and eggs.  It was said that a woman placed colored eggs in her garden  for children to find.  When the children saw a rabbit hop away as they approached, they assumed the rabbit left the eggs there!

Dressing your finest to attend church is to respect and honor Christ.  On Easter, it was particularly practiced to wear new clothes, if you had them.  The idea that it was proper to wear new clothes for Easter was fueled by merchants, who would sell fancy suits, dresses and bonnets.  Rich folk wanted to show off their new attire and would promenade in the streets.  New York City began to attract thousands of people to what is now known as the Easter Parade.

The list of Easter Traditions is endless!  The above are but a few meant to amuse, give meaning, or otherwise inspire an inquisitive mind!

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