What is Easter?
Easter is the sacred celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. It is the oldest and holiest Christian festival, the climax and center of the liturgical year, and the holy day to which all other holy days point. Even denominations that do not strictly follow a liturgical calendar commemorate Easter with tremendous joy and thanksgiving.
Easter is a time to welcome back the Tulips, the Crocuses and the Daffodils. Its a time of new suits and new dresses. And a time of chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and coloured eggs! But, most of all, Easter is the celebration Jesus Christ’s return to life after his crucifixion. (While Jesus died on the cross and was buried, he rose from the dead, and that is what Easter is all about.) His return from death is called the Resurrection. According to the scriptures, Jesus tomb was empty three days after his death. His followers saw him and talked to him after this. Christians therefore believe that they too can receive new life after death. Easter is the celebration of this belief.
What is Easter?: Like pagans, Christians celebrate the end of death and the rebirth of life; but instead of focusing upon nature, Christians believe that Easter marks the day that Jesus Christ was resurrected after spending three days dead in his tomb. Some argue that the word Easter comes form Eostur, the Norse word for spring, but it s more likely that it comes from Eostre, the name of an Anglo-Saxon goddess.Dating Easter: Easter can occur on any date between March 23rd and April 26th and is closely related to the timing of the Spring Equinox. The actual date is set as the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs after March 21, one of the first days of spring. Originally Easter was celebrated at the same time as Jews celebrated Passover, the 14th day of the month of Nisan. Eventually this was moved to Sundays, which had become the Christian sabbath.Origins of Easter: Although Easter is probably the oldest Christian celebration aside from the Sabbath, it wasn t always the s
Easter is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s rising from the dead after his crucifixion. It is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon following the first day of Spring. This can be any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. It is the most sacred of all the Christian holidays or celebrations. His return from death is called the Resurrection. According to the scriptures, Jesus tomb was empty three days after His death, which is commemorated on Good Friday. His followers saw Him and talked to Him after this. Christians therefore believe that they too can receive new life after death. Easter is the celebration of this belief. HOW EASTER WAS CELEBRATED IN ANCIENT DAYS ? A long time ago, people used to celebrate when Spring arrived. People used to believe that changes in seasons were guided by spirits or gods. The blooming of plants and flowers and animals coming out of their hibernation and the return of birds brought life back to the land. This new life in spring symboliz