Origins of Easter explained, religiously and secularly

Easter is known widely around the world as a religious holiday. Easter is a celebration in Christianity as the day Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead. However, that event did not mark the first Easter.

Easter began as a pagan festival celebrating the spring equinoxes in the Northern Hemisphere, long before Christianity. The word Easter comes from an English goddess, Eostre, who was celebrated at the beginning of spring. There is also a theory that Easter comes from a German word Ostern, meaning east, which comes from an old Latin word, Aurora, for dawn. 

Following the advent of Christianity, Easter became associated with Christ’s resurrection in the second century and followed the events of the Passover. In 325 the Council of Nicaea degreed that Easter should be observed on the first Sunday following the full moon after the spring equinox which makes Easter fall between March 22 and April 25. In 2023 Easter falls on Sunday, April 9. 

Some of the religious symbols that represent Easter are; The Cross, which symbolizes the death of Christ who was crucified on a cross and was resurrected three days later. An egg symbolizes new life and rebirth. Often an empty plastic egg is used to represent the empty tomb.  Rabbits symbolize fertility and new life, with lambs also representing new life. Lambs also represent Jesus who was called the Good Shepherd and was referred to as the sacrificial lamb. Palm fronds symbolize peace and have links to when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, days before his crucifixion, known as Palm Sunday. 

Easter has evolved outside of the Christian world into a more secular holiday. Mainly, the symbol of the Rabbit that has been used as a symbol of Easter since ancient pagan times, has evolved into the Easter Bunny, a mythical hare who delivers eggs to children. The Easter Bunny originated in America in the 1700s by German immigrants in Pennsylvania, who brought over their tradition of an egg-laying rabbit named Osterhase or Oschter Haws. The rabbit would lay colorful eggs, as a gift for children who were good, in a nest that the children would make. Often children would leave carrots out in case the bunny got hungry. Over the centuries the bunny has expanded across America to include treats such as candy, and toys, left in baskets instead of nests. 

Another tradition that has become popular in America is the dying of boiled eggs. Eggs are often associated with pagan festivals and celebrations of spring symbolizing rebirth and new life. Often in conjunction with these festivals, it was common to see colored eggs given as a gift to friends and family. The practice of decorating eggs and giving them as a gift was adopted by Christians to include in their Easter Celebrations to symbolize new life through the resurrection. The tradition of hiding the colored eggs and hunting for them comes from Germany. Some believe it dates back to the 16 centuries when Martin Luther organized egg hunts for his congregation. Men would hide the eggs for women and children to find as a representation of women discovering the empty tomb. In more recent years it has become more common to hide plastic eggs with a sugary treat or a fun prize inside.  

Most countries consider Easter a religious holiday. Most start with a lavish breakfast that includes eggs. Many countries such as England, Italy, France and Germany serve roast lamb for dinner along with an Easter cake in the shape of a lamb. These European countries including Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Denmark, also decorate eggs and also have the tradition of the Easter bunny.  In Sweden and Finland, children dress up as witches and old ladies, going house to house with pictures they have drawn in hopes to receive sweet treats for their hard work. This is known as the Easter Witch. 

People in Morgan celebrate both religiously and secularly. Easter brunch is popular among families. The Easter Bunny brings treats for baskets and hides eggs, mostly plastic eggs with treats inside, but some keeping with the tradition of coloring boiled eggs to hide. New clothes with spring colors are a must for many. In America ham is the most popular meat to serve at Easter brunch or dinner. Many in Morgan follow this tradition. 

If you are looking for a worship service to attend in conjunction with Easter, the article “Churches in Morgan invite all to worship and celebrate a Christ centered Easter,” found in this issues of the Morgan County News has information on the different church services in Morgan County.λ