10 Things You Didn’t Know About Easter
By: Derra Howard
Twitter/Instagram: @derrahoward
Blog: www.derrahoward.com
Easter Sunday is a very popular Christian holiday celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. People spend money on candy, eggs, and clothes leading up to this day. Some people do Easter egg hunts and the White House host an Easter Egg Roll. For Christians, this day is about Jesus' resurrection and the Easter Bunny plays a major role. Below are 10 things you didn't know about Easter.[
By: Derra Howard
Twitter/Instagram: @derrahoward
Blog: www.derrahoward.com
Easter Sunday is a very popular Christian holiday celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. People spend money on candy, eggs, and clothes leading up to this day. Some people do Easter egg hunts and the White House host an Easter Egg Roll. For Christians, this day is about Jesus' resurrection and the Easter Bunny plays a major role. Below are 10 things you didn't know about Easter.[
- Where did the Easter name originate from?
Easter is supposed to be a holiday to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. However, where did the name Easter originate from? Some speculate that Easter came from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre. According to Venerable Bede, the word Easter came from Eostre, which is the pagan fertility goddess in English and Germanic cultures. Bede was an English Monk who wrote about the history of Christianity in England. However, scholars have found little to no evidence outside of Bede’s writings.
However, the word Easter in other languages means something completely different. In the Spanish language it is Pascua and in French it is Pasques. It originates from the Greek and Latin Pascha or Pasch for Passover.
In 325CE the Council of Nicaea established that Easter would be held on the first Sunday after the first full moon or the spring equinox. The Council of Nicaea was a group of bishops in Turkey. This group was organized by the Roman Emperor Constantine I. One of the councils ‘main accomplishments was setting a date for Easter.
2. Painting eggs predates Easter
According to Wikipidea.com, the Easter egg can be researched as far back to early Christians of Mesopotamia. Then it is spread into the Orthodox churches through Russia and Siberia. Later, the Catholic and Protestant churches accepted it through Europe. The Easter egg shell symbolizes the empty tomb of Jesus. When the eggs are painted red it is in memory of the blood of Christ.
However, painting hard-boiled eggs in the springtime pre-dates Christianity. The egg is a symbol of new life, rebirth, and fertility in several cultures worldwide. On Nowruz, which is the Iranian New Year, they decorate hard-boiled eggs. This holiday falls on the spring equinox.
The spring equinox is a time for new beginnings, birth, and fresh starts. Dating back to ancient times, several festivals took place during this time all over the world. The spring equinox is a pagan celebration of rebirth and renewal. And Easter is a holiday to celebrate when Jesus is believed to have died and then reborn.
The Easter egg was not mentioned in the Bible, during Jesus' resurrection.
According to Wikipidea.com, the Easter egg can be researched as far back to early Christians of Mesopotamia. Then it is spread into the Orthodox churches through Russia and Siberia. Later, the Catholic and Protestant churches accepted it through Europe. The Easter egg shell symbolizes the empty tomb of Jesus. When the eggs are painted red it is in memory of the blood of Christ.
However, painting hard-boiled eggs in the springtime pre-dates Christianity. The egg is a symbol of new life, rebirth, and fertility in several cultures worldwide. On Nowruz, which is the Iranian New Year, they decorate hard-boiled eggs. This holiday falls on the spring equinox.
The spring equinox is a time for new beginnings, birth, and fresh starts. Dating back to ancient times, several festivals took place during this time all over the world. The spring equinox is a pagan celebration of rebirth and renewal. And Easter is a holiday to celebrate when Jesus is believed to have died and then reborn.
The Easter egg was not mentioned in the Bible, during Jesus' resurrection.
3. What does the Easter Bunny represent?
According to history.com, the Easter Bunny came from German immigrants that settled in America. In the 1700's, the German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania. They brought the tradition of the Easter Bunny or what it was called then, egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.”
This tradition eventually spread all over America. Children leaving carrots out for a bunny rabbit to leave them an egg on Easter Day. The tradition also expanded to chocolate bunnies and more as well.
Easter is celebrated in several other countries. The rabbit isn’t typically associated with Easter in other countries. It is usually a fox, or a cuckoo bird brings the candy.
3. What does the Easter Bunny represent?
According to history.com, the Easter Bunny came from German immigrants that settled in America. In the 1700's, the German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania. They brought the tradition of the Easter Bunny or what it was called then, egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.”
This tradition eventually spread all over America. Children leaving carrots out for a bunny rabbit to leave them an egg on Easter Day. The tradition also expanded to chocolate bunnies and more as well.
Easter is celebrated in several other countries. The rabbit isn’t typically associated with Easter in other countries. It is usually a fox, or a cuckoo bird brings the candy.
4. What does the 40 sacrificial days before Easter (Lent) mean?
Leading up to Easter, people in various religions from Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic Churches decide to observe Lent. Lent is a sacrificial observation for 40 days leading up to Easter. It starts right after Ash Wednesday.
The purpose of Lent is to fast for 40 days and 40 nights. It is to replicate what as Jesus Christ did during His 40 days in the desert. During Jesus Christs’ time in the desert, He was tempted several times. And He resisted each time. When the 40 days were up, Jesus returned to Galilee.
During the time of Lent, people give up sinning. Things that can affect their lives like egos, materialism, selfishness, food. According to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Lent is celebrating Jesus Christ’s 40 days before He started his public ministry.
Leading up to Easter, people in various religions from Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic Churches decide to observe Lent. Lent is a sacrificial observation for 40 days leading up to Easter. It starts right after Ash Wednesday.
The purpose of Lent is to fast for 40 days and 40 nights. It is to replicate what as Jesus Christ did during His 40 days in the desert. During Jesus Christs’ time in the desert, He was tempted several times. And He resisted each time. When the 40 days were up, Jesus returned to Galilee.
During the time of Lent, people give up sinning. Things that can affect their lives like egos, materialism, selfishness, food. According to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Lent is celebrating Jesus Christ’s 40 days before He started his public ministry.
5. What does Palm Sunday mean?
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and the beginning of the last week of Lent. In the Christian faith, it is celebrated because this is when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, was crucified, then resurrected.
Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. Riding a donkey was symbolic, for peace. Even though He wasn't a king, He was with His followers. His followers placed palms at His-to celebrate His entrance into Jerusalem.
Today, congregations hand out palms on Palm Sunday for a keepsake because of that fact. While others hand out palms on Palm Sunday to burn the ashes next year for Ashe Wednesday.
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and the beginning of the last week of Lent. In the Christian faith, it is celebrated because this is when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, was crucified, then resurrected.
Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. Riding a donkey was symbolic, for peace. Even though He wasn't a king, He was with His followers. His followers placed palms at His-to celebrate His entrance into Jerusalem.
Today, congregations hand out palms on Palm Sunday for a keepsake because of that fact. While others hand out palms on Palm Sunday to burn the ashes next year for Ashe Wednesday.
6. Why does Easter fall after the Spring Equinox or the first full moon?
Easter falls after the Spring equinox or the first full moon. The spring equinox marks the first day of springtime in the northern hemisphere, but in the southern hemisphere, it is the beginning of autumn. And it reverses in September.
The spring equinox is the moment the sun crosses the equator from north to south, in March. However, it is opposite for autumnal equinox. The equinox is the only time when day and night are upright to the equator. It correspondingly lights the southern and northern hemispheres.
The spring equinox is celebrated in several cultures and countries. According to softschool.com, the Christianity celebration of Easter-which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Though it falls on the first Sunday after the full moon, following the spring equinox.
In Japan, it is celebrated by a Cherry Blossom Forecast. In the Hindi faith, the festival of Holi is celebrated as the spring equinox arrives. In the United States, spring is celebrated with parties such as spring break.
Easter falls after the Spring equinox or the first full moon. The spring equinox marks the first day of springtime in the northern hemisphere, but in the southern hemisphere, it is the beginning of autumn. And it reverses in September.
The spring equinox is the moment the sun crosses the equator from north to south, in March. However, it is opposite for autumnal equinox. The equinox is the only time when day and night are upright to the equator. It correspondingly lights the southern and northern hemispheres.
The spring equinox is celebrated in several cultures and countries. According to softschool.com, the Christianity celebration of Easter-which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Though it falls on the first Sunday after the full moon, following the spring equinox.
In Japan, it is celebrated by a Cherry Blossom Forecast. In the Hindi faith, the festival of Holi is celebrated as the spring equinox arrives. In the United States, spring is celebrated with parties such as spring break.
7. Easter isn’t bigger than Christmas
Easter is a holiday that is widely publicized. However, it is overshadowed by Christmas. Both Easter and Christmas are very holy holidays focusing on Jesus Christ. Christmas focuses on the birth of Jesus and Easter focuses on the death and resurrection of Jesus. These two days are significant to the Christian holiday.
According to uselessdaily.com, the average American spends $131 every Easter. While for Christmas, if the income is over 70,000 the average gift giving is $700 or more. Easter has decorations, candy, egg painting, Easter egg hunts, Easter outfits, and Easter baskets from the Easter Bunny. On the other hand, Christmas has a wish list for children and adults. Anything a child can ask for and Santa delivers (or tries too).
During these holidays, several people start to attend church more. According to a poll done by Gallup.com, fifty-two percent of Americans will attend Easter church service. Sixty-nine percent of Americans that are 65 and older said they are attending church. And fifty-nine percent of Americans between the ages of 18 to 29 are as well. The overall percentage is fifty-two will be attending Easter service. However, for Christmas, people start to attend church 61 percent more than they would normally. The reason they attend is to honor Jesus birth, for family and friends, to get in the holiday spirit, and observe the tradition.
Easter is a holiday that is widely publicized. However, it is overshadowed by Christmas. Both Easter and Christmas are very holy holidays focusing on Jesus Christ. Christmas focuses on the birth of Jesus and Easter focuses on the death and resurrection of Jesus. These two days are significant to the Christian holiday.
According to uselessdaily.com, the average American spends $131 every Easter. While for Christmas, if the income is over 70,000 the average gift giving is $700 or more. Easter has decorations, candy, egg painting, Easter egg hunts, Easter outfits, and Easter baskets from the Easter Bunny. On the other hand, Christmas has a wish list for children and adults. Anything a child can ask for and Santa delivers (or tries too).
During these holidays, several people start to attend church more. According to a poll done by Gallup.com, fifty-two percent of Americans will attend Easter church service. Sixty-nine percent of Americans that are 65 and older said they are attending church. And fifty-nine percent of Americans between the ages of 18 to 29 are as well. The overall percentage is fifty-two will be attending Easter service. However, for Christmas, people start to attend church 61 percent more than they would normally. The reason they attend is to honor Jesus birth, for family and friends, to get in the holiday spirit, and observe the tradition.
8.Jewish Passover is not Easter Passover
Some people may think that Jewish Passover is Easter Passover. These two holidays are very different. They are different in what they are celebrating and who they are celebrating.
The word Easter is Greek or Latin word for Pascha. Which means Passover. This holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Jewish Passover remembers the Hebrew exodus from slavery in Egypt and celebrates Moses. However, both are at the same time.
These two holidays are different. The Jewish Passover is a festival and Easter Passover is celebrated by Christians worldwide. The central figure of the Jewish Passover is Moses, while the focus is Jesus Christ for the Christians. Despite the holidays’ differences, these holidays have a 7 to 8-day celebration according to www.differencebetween.info. In the Jewish Passover lamb is usually served for the festival.
Some people may think that Jewish Passover is Easter Passover. These two holidays are very different. They are different in what they are celebrating and who they are celebrating.
The word Easter is Greek or Latin word for Pascha. Which means Passover. This holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Jewish Passover remembers the Hebrew exodus from slavery in Egypt and celebrates Moses. However, both are at the same time.
These two holidays are different. The Jewish Passover is a festival and Easter Passover is celebrated by Christians worldwide. The central figure of the Jewish Passover is Moses, while the focus is Jesus Christ for the Christians. Despite the holidays’ differences, these holidays have a 7 to 8-day celebration according to www.differencebetween.info. In the Jewish Passover lamb is usually served for the festival.
9. Christians celebrate that Jesus rose from the grave, but He wasn’t alone
According to the book of Matthew 27:52 “And the graves were opened; many bodies of the saints which slept arose.” Jesus Christ ascended from the grave with several holy people. Easter is celebrated because Jesus died for the sins of the humans and he arose again.
When he died, his spirit went to heaven. Though, when he was resurrected from the dead, he wasn’t alone. Matthew 27:53 “And came out the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” In the Bible, the people are called saints. A saint is someone who is sanctified or holy; God’s true followers.
The Bible doesn’t go into detail about what happened to the other people that were resurrected with Jesus. The story stays on Jesus. However, God did bring several other people back from the dead. This time was peculiar because it was with Jesus; who had died for the sins of mankind.
According to the book of Matthew 27:52 “And the graves were opened; many bodies of the saints which slept arose.” Jesus Christ ascended from the grave with several holy people. Easter is celebrated because Jesus died for the sins of the humans and he arose again.
When he died, his spirit went to heaven. Though, when he was resurrected from the dead, he wasn’t alone. Matthew 27:53 “And came out the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” In the Bible, the people are called saints. A saint is someone who is sanctified or holy; God’s true followers.
The Bible doesn’t go into detail about what happened to the other people that were resurrected with Jesus. The story stays on Jesus. However, God did bring several other people back from the dead. This time was peculiar because it was with Jesus; who had died for the sins of mankind.
10. The annual Easter Egg Roll is Held at the White House
The Easter Egg Roll is held the first Monday after Easter at the White House. This event is held by the United States President and the First Lady. The egg roll began in early 1800, by President James Madison.
The Easter Egg Rolls used to be held on the west grounds of the U.S. Capitol. A concern for landscape at the U.S. Capitol became an issue because of the egg roll parties. In 1876, Congress passed a bill through legislation that no public use of the U.S. Capitol is allowed. Then presidents after used the South Lawn of the White House for the Easter Egg Roll.
Easter egg rolling is a race. Unlike with the Easter egg hunt, the kids don't run looking for eggs and who has the most wins a prize. In the Easter egg roll, the kids push the egg with a long-handled spoon in the grass. And whoever makes it to the finish line first wins.
The Easter Egg Roll is held the first Monday after Easter at the White House. This event is held by the United States President and the First Lady. The egg roll began in early 1800, by President James Madison.
The Easter Egg Rolls used to be held on the west grounds of the U.S. Capitol. A concern for landscape at the U.S. Capitol became an issue because of the egg roll parties. In 1876, Congress passed a bill through legislation that no public use of the U.S. Capitol is allowed. Then presidents after used the South Lawn of the White House for the Easter Egg Roll.
Easter egg rolling is a race. Unlike with the Easter egg hunt, the kids don't run looking for eggs and who has the most wins a prize. In the Easter egg roll, the kids push the egg with a long-handled spoon in the grass. And whoever makes it to the finish line first wins.
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