The true meaning of Easter
Easter is the time of the year where people are eating hot cross buns and hiding colorful eggs around the garden for children to go find, but where did this all come from? What is the true meaning of Easter and why is it significant in our lives as Christians? Get a quick overview on the origin and significance of Easter below.
What is Easter?
It is important to note that Easter (with the bunnies and eggs) is not mentioned in the Bible at all.
Preceding Easter is a 40-day period called Lent, in which fasting takes place for spiritual self-discipline, remembrance, and reflection. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday.
Holy Week or "Passion Week" is the week leading up to Easter. This week includes:
- Palm Sunday: The day Jesus entered Jerusalem and was celebrated.
- Maundy Thursday: When Jesus met with his disciples during the "Last Supper."
- Good Friday: The day Jesus Christ is crucified on the cross.
- Easter Sunday: The day Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
Easter is very significant and is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, fulfilled prophecy. Through his death, he has given the gift of eternal life in heaven to those who believe that he is the son of God and that he died for our sins.
Christian significance of Easter
The most important thing for Christians to remember has nothing to do with the color of eggs or where to hide them. It is to remember the good news of Jesus' resurrection! Specifically, the good news is of life after death. Jesus had prophesied that he would live again, and he solidified his credibility by demonstrating power over his own death. That very claim, and its obvious implications, scared the Jewish leaders of the time so much that they demanded a Roman guard at the tomb.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, shed his blood for us as the perfect sacrifice, without blemish or defect. When death comes only our physical bodies will perish, but we will have eternal life, just as God intended in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This is the true meaning of Easter.
What's with the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs?
Many people might know Easter as a holiday in which a bunny comes about and hides their eggs nearby for children to find. These eggs may contain treats like candy or even money. But how did all these symbols come together to create the pagan celebration of Easter as many know it?
One theory about the symbolism of the bunny/rabbit stems from the festival of Eostre which honored a goddess of the Saxons. This goddess symbolized fertility and their animal symbol was a rabbit (known for their ability to have large litters and reproduce multiple times a year).
What about decorating eggs? History.com also reports that as far back as the 1200's eggs were forbidden during the Lent season. During Lent you fast, and eggs were traditionally forbidden during this time. People would decorate them as the fasting period came to an end and then enjoy them as a way to celebrate Easter Sunday.
As for the colorful eggs filled with candy and gifts for children, History.com reports that German immigrants in the 1700's brought over their traditions from "Osterhase" in which a rabbit would leave these aforementioned treat-filled eggs for children who were good.
