Easter Traditions
Well, back again, I see. Ready to explore some traditions
with me? Hang on....
THE EASTER BUNNY
The Easter Bunny is a popular part of many Easter celebrations
in the United States, but it's story goes back thousands of years.
In Egypt long ago, people believed the rabbit was responsible
for the new life that abounded in the spring. Later, early Christians
saw the connection between the rabbit and new life as a symbol
of the Resurrection as well.
An old European legend says that the hare, a relative of the
rabbit, never closed its eyes. Since it watched the other animals
all night long, the hare became the symbol of the moon. The hare
was soon connected with Easter because the holiday's date depends
upon the full moon.
An old German story tells of a poor woman who loved children
and enjoyed giving them Easter treats. One year, she hid brightly
colored eggs in her garden, and while the children searched for
them, they saw a hare hopping past. They thought the hare had
left the eggs.
German children made nests of leaves and branches in their
gardens for the "Easter Hare." Some children left nests
made of clothes or a hat in quiet corners of their homes. When
German children came to the United States, they brought this custom
with them.
Rabbits were more common in the United States than were hares,
so the Easter Hare became the Easter Rabbit, and later, it was
called the Easter Bunny. Early American children built nests of
leaves and sticks in their gardens or barns for the Easter Rabbit
to fill with colored eggs. Today, the Easter Bunny often brings
his own baskets.
EASTER LILY
When Jesus walked the earth all plants and animals, ugly and
beautiful, bowed their heads in respect. All except for the lily.
The lily was too beautiful and proud to bow. After the crucifixion
of Jesus the lily felt so badly that it bowed its head. And as
an everlasting show of respect the lily continues to bow its head
in respect.
Lilies are widely known as a symbol of Easter and the coming
of spring. Their sweet, clean smell and simple form seem to stand
for everything pure and perfect. For hundreds of years Lilies
have commonly appeared as symbols of purity and holiness. The
Easter lily was specially brought to the United States from Bermuda
around 1880.
THE SYMBOLS OF EASTER
THE PALM BRANCH:
It was the Roman custom to welcome royalty with waving palm
branches. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday,
people cut branches from palm trees, blanketed the streets with
them, and waved them in the air.
Today, Christians carry palm branches in parades, create palm
crosses, and weave palm leaves to decorate their churches.
THE LAMB:
Long before the time of Jesus, families gave lambs as offerings
to God. And since the first Passover, the symbolism of serving
lamb as an important part in the Passover feast.
Since Jesus died during Passover, his death was interpreted
giving himself as an offering to God for the sins of all the world.
It's for this reason the Bible calls Jesus the Lamb of God. Early
Christians saw the lamb as a symbol of Jesus and continue to use
it as a part of their Easter celebrations.
The celebration of Easter is a series of special days leading
up to and relating to the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Special Days of Easter
LENT
Lent is a period of fasting, or doing without certain things.
Not counting Sundays, Lent is the forty days before Easter. Many
Christians fast to honor the forty days Jesus fasted in the wilderness.
In many countries, the days before Lent are filled with celebrations.
This period is often called Carnival. Carnival is celebrated in
almost all of the countries in North, Central and South America,
the Caribbean, as well as in Norway, Switzerland, France, Italy,
Spain, Germany, Portugal, and Greece.
One of the more famous carnival celebrations is Mardi Gras,
New Orleans, Louisiana. Mardi Gras in New Orleans begins six days
before Lent and ends with a final cavalcade of people, colorful
floats, bands, and marching bands.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Christian churches
celebrate a special service in which the priest presses a small
cross of ashes on the forehead of each worshipper.
On Ash Wednesday many people make pretzels. Pretzel comes
from a Latin word meaning "little arms." The shape to
many represents worshippers' arms folded in prayer.
PALM SUNDAY
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. On this day,
early Christians carried palm branches to welcome of Jesus to
Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. The use of the palm leaf reminds
them of this occasion.
Since medieval times, palm leaves have been made into cross
shapes and given to worshippers on Palm Sunday. On the Ash Wednesday
of the next year, these same palms are returned and burned for
use by priests in the service.
GOOD FRIDAY
Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified. This is the most
solemn day of the year for Christians. The Bible says that during
the crucifixion of Jesus the sky darkened from noon until three
o'clock in the day. Traditionally, Christians held services during
these three hours on Good Friday to remember the suffering of
Christ.
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