The History of Easter

When someone thinks about the Easter holiday, they will probably think of the Christian story behind it. Almost no one knows that most traditions practiced on Easter were started by Pagans in ancient times.

According to the Christian religion Jesus, the one and only Son of God, was crucified on the "Day of Preparation", which was the day before Sabbath (the last day of the week). Three day's later; Jesus was resurrected from his tomb. This insured that all who followed God and accepted Christ as their savior would be saved.

Christians actually begin to celebrate Easter one week before, on a day known as "Palm Sunday." This represents the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey as the people laid palms on his path. The holiday continues on Good Friday, which is celebrated in remembrance of the day Jesus died on the cross.

Easter Sunday is known as the "Moveable Feast." This is because Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon which can land on or after March 21. In the past, Easter Sunday has been known to land anywhere between March 22 and April 25.

Christians known as "Old World Christians" see Easter as a holiday that goes along with the Jewish holiday Passover. Passover is an eight day long holiday that celebrates the freedom and escape from Egyptian slavery.

Unknown to most modern day Christians, is the fact that many Easter traditions were actually practiced long before the birth of Christ.

It is believed that the word "Easter" comes from the Teutonic name "Eastre"; a mythological goddess of spring and fertility. This is why most Christians refer to Easter as "Resurrection Sunday" and not "Easter Sunday."

In ancient times the Easter Bunny was seen as a symbol of fertility. The colorful eggs that children search for now, were once painted as a sign of sunlight and renewal that springs brings. These eggs were often given as gifts representing the "new life" of spring.

There are many Christian holidays that were at one time celebrated in different ways by pagans. Some scholars believe that some holidays, such as Halloween (which was once known as "All Saints Day") were created by pagans as a way to "make fun" of the Christian religion. Very few people know that when they set out their Easter baskets in anticipation of the Easter Bunny, they are actually celebrating the ancient pagan form of the holiday.