Easter Christianity Birth Egg Breadbonnet Palm Sunday Good Friday Maundy Christ Crucify
Easter is an annual celebration in honor of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is an occasion filled with joy and sadness; sadness at the death of Christ on the cross and joy at the resurrection of Christ.
Usually observed on a Sunday by Christians around the World, Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25 in Western countries, using the Gregorian or Julian calendars. This is because it follows the first full moon after the vernal equinox.
Easter, sometimes referred to as Easter Sunday, is the culmination of the preceding Lenten period. Lent generally starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the final day of Holy week. Holy week is the week of religious significant incidents leading up to Easter. Here are some of the events of Holy Week that are celebrated.
Palm Sunday
Many Christian churches celebrate Palm Sunday by displaying palm branches in the interior of the church. Jesus and his followers arrive in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. He was hailed as the Messiah and a carpet of palm branches were laid in his path.
Maundy Thursday
This day commemorates the last supper when Jesus told his disciples that one of them will betray him. Following the supper, as Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane, he was betrayed by Judas, one of his disciples, with the famous "Judas kiss"
Good Friday
This day is one of mourning. It is a day when practicing Christians, observe the day in remembrance of the crucifixion of Christ on that day. It is a holiday in most countries with large Christian populations and is observed by attending church or mass or staying at home for a quiet reflective day.
Holy Saturday
On Holy Saturday, there is no significant observation except that Christians are reminded that on this day, Jesus is in the tomb, his body under heavy guard. Catholics hold a solemn vigil on Holy Saturday night which includes the paschal candle procession, blessing the new fire and a mass re-enacting the death of Christ.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is a day for jubilation and celebration. It is the day Jesus rose from the dead. When his followers went to anoint his body on that day they found the Tomb empty. All the previously mentioned observances culminate on Easter Sunday which is considered the most joyful, significant and colourful feast day in the christian church. Churches are packed for Easter Sunday Services and are adorned with colourful displays and spring flowers; the Lilly being the most common.
Many churches still practice the Easter sunrise service which is said to be related to the biblical reference of the women rising at dawn to visit Jesus and finding the tomb empty.
The early sunrise service was brought to the west by Protestant immigrants. Many of these services were held in large auditoriums in the early twentieth century. In the US they were held in the Hollywood Bowl. attended by the fashionable Hollywood crowd and at Radio City Music Hall which were all famous for their Easter sunrise services.
The Easter Lilly, Easter eggs, Easter dress and Easter bread are all some of the other popular traditions on Easter. Many of us, may know the song, Easter Parade and the famous verse:
For, in your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it,
You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade!
I'll be all in clover and, when they look you over,
I'll be the proudest fellow in the Easter parade!
Yes dressing up at Easter once an inexcusable omission, is still very much a part of Easter. The colourful bonnets may not be so visible anymore, but there is no excuse for not wearing new clothes on Easter.
The popularity of the Easter Lilly has not waned much and continues to have a strong association with Easter. Nurseries and greenhouses probably do some of their best sales at this time of year, and retailers are stretched to the limit getting them out of the door while they are still firm and fresh.
Easter is when the rabbits or Easter bunnies and Easter eggs make their appearance. There are numerous myths about how and why these customs are practiced. Generally, however, it is felt that the egg represents new life, birth, beginnings, similar to that associated with the dawn of spring. The fun part of the tradition, however, is what makes it so popular. Like the Christmas tree, the Easter egg is merely a highly commercialized symbol of Easter with various Christian and non-Christian interpretations.
Easter remains an essentially religious feast holiday. As in all religious celebrations there are customs that are not easily understood. Essentially, however, Easter is a time to celebrate the a risen Christ, his love, triumph over death, and new beginnings.
Learn more about Easter and other holidays
