What is Easter About?

You know Easter is close when the stores are filled with candy eggs, chocolate bunnies, and egg-coloring kits. But what is Easter about?

Easter is the Christian observance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his resurrection days later.

This year, Easter falls on April 8. The day Easter is celebrated is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or next after the vernal equinox on March 21. However, sometimes Easter will not necessarily fall on the very next Sunday after a full moon because the church calculates the moon phases not astronomically but ecclesiastically. The ecclesiastical moon is defined by church-constructed tables to be used permanently for calculating the phase of the moon. The last time the astronomical full moon and the ecclesiastical full moon did not coincide was back in 1876.

Using the calculations from above, Easter can fall between March 22 and April 25.

One week before Easter is Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks Jesus' entry into Jerusalem when his supporters waved palm fronds to celebrate his arrival.

The Friday before Easter is Good Friday. Good Friday is an observance of Christ's crucifixion on the cross. Christians believe Christ's death made it possible to know peace with God. Therefore, instead of observing Friday as a day of mourning, peace was celebrated.

Easter comes only second to Christmas as one of the oldest and most joyous days on the Christian calendar. Many "sunrise services" are held outside on Easter morning as a symbol of the empty tomb that was found early that Sunday morning and of Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem before sunrise on the Sunday of his resurrection.

Easter eggs became a tradition centuries ago. On Easter Sunday, people decorated eggs as presents to their friends and servants. Eggs are a traditional symbol of new life. They are used to remind people of the resurrection of Jesus.

The Easter Bunny is a popular children's character. Rabbits are a powerful symbol of fertility and new life. Therefore, rabbits are perfect for Easter.

Easter at the White House has been taking place for more than 120 years. Children are greeted by the President and First Lady and invited to play Easter games. The high point of the day is rolling a hardboiled egg across the green lawns. At the end of the day, the children receive collectible wooden eggs complete with signatures of the President and First Lady.

Easter is a joyous holiday that should be enjoyed by all.

Resources:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/easter.htm

http://www.howstuffworks.com/easter1.htm