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The History and Observances of
Easter
Every year,
Christians
worldwide celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
during the Easter
season. Contrary to popular belief, however, the celebration
of the Easter holiday
is not of Christian origin.
The name 'Easter'
is derived from the name of the Saxon goddess of Spring,
Eastre. According to Pagan beliefs, Eastre's sphere of
influence is fertility and renewal. Each year at the Vernal
Equinox, a great festival was held to celebrate the coming
growing season and the continued fertility of the Earth.
Jews have also
celebrated their own springtime festival,
Passover, around
this time as well.
Passover commemorates the end of the Israelite's captivity
in Egypt. It is called
Passover because
when the Angel of Death came for Egypt's first born sons, the
Israelites who had lamb's blood on the door were passed over and
spared.
Because of the state
supported persecution of early
Christians, many
Christian feasts
were celebrated about the same time as Pagan holidays.
Easter is no
different. While the religious meanings of the different
festivals are different, symbols like the egg, rabbit, and the
cross are shared.
The egg has always
been a symbol of new life and springtime renewal. Children
across pre-Christian Europe were given decorated eggs as a
symbol of the renewal of springtime. In modern times, children
decorate and hide eggs.
The rabbit was the
symbol of the goddess Eastre in Pagan Saxony. During the early
American period, German settlers brought with them the
connection between the
Easter holiday and a rabbit. Today, Children believe in the
Easter Bunny, who
brings candy and gifts on
Easter Sunday.
One of the central
Christian symbols
is the cross. It symbolizes the crucifixion of Christ, but in
Pagan Rome, it was a symbol of Roman punishment. Crucifixion
was always a favorite method of execution in Roman times, but
after the death of Jesus, it became a rallying symbol for early
Christians.
The
Easter holiday is
very old indeed, and it's meaning and symbols have evolved over
time. Whether Pagan or
Christian, symbols
add to the meaning of the holiday, but do not change it.
Marcia Chumbley is a
work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She
is the owner of a
Christian Work From Home Moms
website
at
Faithful Grannies
http://www.faithfulgrannies.com
bringing generations of
Christian Work From Home Moms,
Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together
while providing resources, inspiration and affordable
advertising while balancing the work at home experience. She
holds a degree in Business and is a CMOM.
Article Source:
Christian Work At Home Grandparents -
CWAHGrandparents.com
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