8704 Yates Dr., Suite 205

Westminster, CO 80031

rmfc.org

303-292-1800

Easter

Like many other holidays, Easter is a mixture of Christianity and pre-Christian traditions. For example, even the word "Easter" is not a Christian name.  Its origin goes way back to Chaldean paganism. Ishtar and Astarte were Babylonian goddesses dedicated to a cult of fertility. The Babylonian cult spread through Europe and was adopted by the Germanic peoples, who worshiped Eostre, the same goddess of fertility. Her festival was celebrated on the spring equinox with rabbits and brightly colored eggs. It is fascinating that in many western cultures the most important day in the Christian year is named for a fertility goddess and celebrated with ancient fertility practices. The original Christian celebration was a completely different festival, and was not called "Easter." It was called "Pasch," a name borrowed from the Hebrew word for Passover, which commemorates Israel's deliverance from the bondage of Egypt.

Passover, of course, celebrates Israel's deliverance from the bondage of Egypt and was later commemorated by Christians as Christ's sacrifice for us as the perfect Passover Lamb. Eastern Orthodox churches call the holiday "pesach" to this day. Many other cultures refer to the holiday in a similar manner, not as "Easter." In the second century, the emphasis began to change from the commemoration of Christ's death at Passover to a celebration of His resurrection. Why not celebrate a passover dinner with your family this year? There are lots of resources to help Christians celebrate a passover dinner which points to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

How did the tradition of the sunrise service on Easter get started? Originally, sunrise services were held in cemeteries! The idea of an early resurrection service to be held at sunrise in a cemetery came from the Moravians in the early 1700's. A group of young men meeting for prayers on Saturday night decided that "as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week" they, like the disciples, would go to the place of burial. Unlike the disciples, they knew that the Lord was risen, and to Him they planned to sing hymns of praise. This impromptu service was so impressive and meaningful that it became a custom and was brought to America by early Moravian settlers. Why not try the same thing with your family this year? Why not get up as early as you can on Resurrection Day, watch the sun come up as a family, then talk about the first Resurrection Day? Top it off by singing some traditional hymns and having a quiet breakfast together as a family.

Even the symbols surrounding Easter have mixed origins. What about the symbol of the Lamb? For centuries the Lamb, pictured with the flag of victory and representing Christ, was the most popular and significant symbol of the holiday. How did eggs and bunnies get mixed up with the Resurrection of Christ? The origin of the Easter egg is based on the fertility cults of the pagans. But in later days, because they were not eaten during Lent, eggs became a symbol of special joy and were painted in bright colors and given as gifts. In some countries-Russia, the Ukraine, and Poland-the first food blessed and eaten on Resurrection Day is an egg. Rather than identifying the Easter egg as a pagan symbol, why not explain to your children that it represents new life? The eggshell, hard and cold, is like the tomb where Jesus lay. But later, when Jesus arose, the tomb was empty, because a tomb is not meant for the living.

What about lilies? Christ Himself used lilies as an illustration of God's glorious creation in Matthew 6. The familiar Easter lily is relatively new to our Resurrection celebration, being imported to the United States in the late 1800's. Since it blooms in this season, it quickly became a symbolic favorite. Why not use these symbols to point to the resurrection of Christ? According to author Martha Zimmerman, many of the symbols traditionally connected with Easter can point to the resurrection. Christ is the Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice on our behalf. Eggs can represent life; the empty eggshell is a picture of the empty tomb after Christ arose. The lily is mentioned by Christ in Matthew 6 as a symbol of God's glorious creation. This year, why not fill hollow plastic eggs with messages and symbols pointing to the resurrection? As your children or grandchildren find and open the eggs, you can relate the story of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. That's what the holiday is really all about!

Rocky Mountain Family Council

8704 Yates Drive, Suite 205

Westminster, CO 80031

(303) 292-1800

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without prior permission from the Rocky Mountain Family Council.