ALT-1 Why Easter is Celebrated
"He has come!" turns to "He is risen!"
Where Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus, Easter is the celebratory occasion of His death, burial, and wonderful resurrection!
Whether or not you accept the reason for this celebration of the miraculous as fact or fiction, Easter is no doubt a time of renewal and joyous rebirth. Both of nature, as it is the season of Spring. And, of hope, as it is a promise of a new beginning for all things.
Bunnies chiseled out of chocolate, pastel-painted hard boiled eggs, and marshmallow chicks are among the trimmings associated with the holiday annually scheduled to take place (according to the calender) somewhere between mid-March and the end of April.
Bunnies and eggs are obviously linked to fertility and there are many who taut this as pointing to New Age philosophy. Be that as it may, young children the world over enjoy "the egg roll" on the preceding Saturday, in which they gleefully chase after the colorful objects which adults roll down grassy slopes.
The Easter basket is a tradition in most American households. Much-anticipated and (usually) heavily laden with jelly beans, toys, and chocolate confections (of all shapes these days), - these whimsical treasures are the equivalent of the Christmas stocking. The joy they bring to a child's face is enough thanks for the parent or grandparent who has lovingly filled them!
Christians attend church services in which dramatic skits, choral musicales, and sermons recounting The Easter Story, all give glory and honour to their King of Kings, the One whom they credit for the forgiveness of their sins and their promise of eternal life with Him.
The Holy Bible speaks of this in the book of Luke, chapters 23 and 24. Upon being crucified and buried on Good Friday, His followers were afraid that that was the end for them. Why did He allow them to take His life? If He was indeed the Christ (God incarnate,) could He not have stopped this horrendous outcome from occurring?
What were they to do now, these disciples of Christ? Where were they to go now, since their Master had departed the earth, - and none too triumphantly?
Three days in a limestone tomb on loan from a wealthy man, the body had been anointed and bound in linen, and ordered to be guarded by Roman Centurions, - a quarter-ton stone having been rolled in front of the opening to prevent anyone from entering.
This Christ was going nowhere! He was dead to all. His most dedicated followers included.
On Sunday morning (because Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath and no unnecessary work could be performed), three women went to the tomb and found it to be - to their amazement - EMPTY!
He had risen! Just as He had promised.
Thus, two-thousand years hence, we celebrate Easter Sunday.
