DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW?

I STAND IN AWE OF YOU - MIDI Is Easter Sunday the only day you go to church besides Christmas? Did you know that more people go to church on holidays than throughout the year? Easter and Christmas bring out more people to Churches than any other time of the year and this is true in all denominations. Did you know that the sky went dark for hours when Jesus died? Matthew 27:45 "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." Did you know that Jesus fulfilled three of the seven feasts/festivals of the Jewish people, in the book of Leviticus in the Old Testament?

Did you know there was an earthquake when Jesus died? Did you know that at the EXACT time that Jesus died the CURTAIN in the temple was torn? Matthew 27:51 "And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;" Mark 15:38 Luke 23:45 Hebrews 6:19-20 Hebrews 10:19-22 The curtain was to separate the Holy of Holies from the sanctuary. (Exodus 26) Curtains were made of "Linen." It was used to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.(Exodus 26:33) It was called the "shield curtain" (Exodus 39:34; Exodus 40:21; Numbers 4:5) because it shielded the ark. "At the MOMENT when Christ died, the curtain of Herod's temple was torn, thereby giving the believer direct access to the presence of God." Christ came as the High Priest" (Heb 9:11), "but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption" (Heb 9:12). Now lets look at what the book of Hebrews tells us is the significance of the curtain tearing: "Therefore, brothers since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:19-23) DID YOU KNOW there was an earthquake at the Resurrection too? Matthew 28:2 "And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it."

Candles are burned during many Easter celebrations, especially the vigil and midnight services before Easter Sunday. Christians associate Jesus with the light from candles, calling Him "the Light of the World." Many churches extinguish candles on their altars on Good Friday to show that Jesus' light has gone out. In Roman Catholic churches, the special paschal candle is lit on Easter Sunday next to the main altar. The candle represents Jesus' return to life. The candle is often lit during the next 40 days, until it is put out on Ascension Day. THE LAMB

The lamb is a particularly important Easter symbol in central and eastern European countries. It represents Jesus and relates His death to that of the lamb sacrificed on the first Passover. Christians traditionally refer to Jesus as "the Lamb of God." Many people serve lamb as part of the Easter feast. In many homes, a lamb-shaped cake decorates the table. Many Eastern Orthodox Christians hang pictures of the Easter lamb in their homes. Other foods. Besides lamb and eggs, certain other foods are associated with the Easter season. Pretzels, for example, were originally a Lenten food. Their twisted shape suggested arms crossed in prayer. Hot Cross Buns: Hot cross buns, now eaten throughout the Easter season, were first baked in England to be served on Good Friday. The buns have a cross made of icing on the top. Some people have suggested the connection to the ancient sacramental cakes. Hot Cross Buns - This is from a site that is not professing Christianity. They are not a truly Christian tradition, even though there is a "x" or Cross on the bun. Here is what the site says: "They are generally only served during the Lenten season, preserving their Christian significance. Yet they are probably the outgrowth of the ancient pagan sacramental cakes eaten by Anglo-Saxons in honor of their goddess "Eastore." A RECIPE FOR Hot Cross Buns Hot Cross Buns are traditionally served on Good Friday (the Friday before Easter) and during the Lenten season, but they are good anytime. This recipe will make 2 1/2 dozen buns. So get out your ingredients and bake in time for tomorrow. Enjoy! 2 packages active dry yeast 1/2 cup warm water 1 cup warm milk 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup softened butter or margarine 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 6 1/2 to 7 cups all-purpose flour 4 eggs 1/2 cup dried currents 1/2 cup raisins 2 Tablespoons water 1 egg yolk 1 recipe Icing (below) Have the water and milk at 110-115 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Add the warm milk sugar, butter, vanilla, salt, nutmeg, and 3 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating the mixture well after each addition. Stir in the dried fruit and enough flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl and turn over to grease the top. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour). Punch the dough down and shape into 30 balls. Place on greased baking sheets. Using a sharp knife, cut a cross (or X) on the top of each roll. Cover again and let rise until doubled (about 30 minutes). Beat the water and egg yolk together and brush over the rolls. Bake at 375-degrees F. for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Drizzle icing over the top of each roll following the lines of the cut cross. ICING: Combine 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 4 teaspoons milk or cream, a dash of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. Adjust sugar and milk to make a mixture which flows easily.

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