Thursday, April 21, 2011

"Hoppy" Easter

 Easter is considered a Christian holiday. It commemorates the resurrection (rising or coming back to life) of Jesus after his crucifixion (death by being nailed to a wooden cross). It is celebrated on the Sunday following the full moon after the beginning of Spring. As a result, it does not occur on the same day each year. It falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25.

In 2008, Easter occurred on March 23th. In 2009, the date of Easter is Sunday, April 12 ~ TODAY!

So, what's with the eggs and the Easter Bunny?

Long before Christianity began, people have celebrated the coming of Spring and the renewal of life that comes with it (plants revive, new animals are often born, or mating season begins). Eggs symbolize new life. Most societies associate them with life. It is generally believed that in Europe, around the 2nd Century C.E., Christian missionaries who hoped to convert pagan people to Christian ways noticed that people were already holding festivals to mark the renewal of life around the same time of year Christians were commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. Both celebrations note the triumph of life over death. Christians adopted many traditional symbols of Spring celebrations (eggs, bunnies, flowers, etc.) into Easter celebrations.

For more information, see the source of this information at:
Factmonster.com

And check out this Easter origins video from the History Channel:
Easter video

Have an EGGSellent day!

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