EASTER CELEBRATION

What comes to mind when you hear the word “EASTER”?
For some people it’s about Celebrating Jesus’ death & Resurrection, Salvation, God’s Love, Sacrifice, Victory, Life, Restoration, Reconciliation, etc while for others it’s all about the Public holidays, Partying, Easter Bonnets, Exchanging gifts like Easter bunnies, Chocolates, Easter Eggs, etc. Generally, when people speak of Easter, they are most likely referring to the events surrounding Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. So why is it though, that the thought of Easter eggs, chocolate, Easter bunnies, partying hard and pastel colours also run through our minds when we hear the term Easter? Where does the misconception come from?



Origin of Easter
The term "Easter" is not truly found in the Bible except for KJV’s mistranslation of the Greek word "pascha" found in Acts 12:4 which actually referred to "Passover".

As with almost all "Christian" holidays, Easter has a secular side such that the dichotomous nature of Easter and its symbols, however, is not necessarily a modern fabrication. When the second-century Christian missionaries encountered the ancient Saxons (who celebrated the return of spring with an uproarious festival commemorating their goddess, Ēostre) they attempted to convert them to Christianity; however, in a clandestine manner by allowing them to continue to celebrate pagan feasts, but to do so in a Christian manner.

As it happened, the pagan festival of Eostre or Eastre occurred at the same time of year as the Christian observance of the Resurrection of Christ. It made sense, therefore, to alter the festival itself, to make it a Christian observance as pagans were slowly indoctrinated. The early name, Eastre, was eventually changed to its modern spelling, Easter.

“According to the eighth-century theologian the Venerable Bede(who came up with the dating system of AD and BC), the Anglo-Saxon goddess , Eostre is associated with the egg and with the hare, both symbols of procreation that have been enduring-ly incorporated by the church in the form of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny who brings them.”



Easter Traditions & Celebrations
As time passed, Easter practices evolved into the celebrations we recognize today, even though its still celebrated differently by different cultures. Here are a few examples of how its celebrated around the world:


• Australia celebrates Easter with great fanfare and traditional fervour. Festivals held over the Easter holiday in Australia such as National Folk Festival, the East Coast International Blues & Roots Festival and the Australian Gospel Music Festival. The streets of Sidney, are filled with colourful gift galleries with the latest stock of presents. On Easter Sunday, churches are bedecked with flowers, to commemorate the Resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ.


• Easter celebration in Brazil begins with the Holy Week rituals, which involve the blessing of the palm branches, woven in intricate patterns representing crosses, banners, letters and other related objects. Brazilian Christians take out procession walks, carrying statues of Mary and the body of Lord Jesus Christ. 'Pacoca', a special Easter delicacy prepared and given to visitors. Worshiping the popular symbols of Easter is a popular custom in Brazil.


• In the Philippines, with one of the biggest Catholic populations in the world, Easter is certainly one of the main events. Religious ceremonies are associated to the dramatisation of events; as the crucifixion and flagellations are literally re-enacted. Good Friday is when Penitents are actually nailed to a Cross and these people would also put barbed wires as their crowns, walks down the streets carrying that cross that weights a ton while fasting to somehow suffer for what He did for us. And on Easter Sunday, Filipinos go to church together, and celebrate as Christ has risen from death. To celebrate the birth of NEW LIFE, Fillipinos adopted westernized culture, of Easter EGG hunting in that Day.


• Easter in Israel is celebrated with great pomp and show. Pilgrims congregate for an Easter sunrise service at the Garden tomb in Jerusalem. Easter mass is celebrated at the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's walled Old City. Priests and monks in white robes chant the liturgy, as fragrant incense rise above the tomb Christians believe to be the place where Jesus rose from the dead. Many processions are held in Israel which travel the route of Jesus Christ's journey to Golgotha. The route is referred to as the ‘Twelve Stations’ of the Cross. At one o'clock in the afternoon on Easter day, the church leader goes into Jesus’ tomb and the doors are closed after him. The lights of the entire city are lit off and later the church bells rings and the church leader comes out with a burning torch. The torch is said to have been lit inside the tomb on its own without any external source. So everyone present in the procession at that time, lights their candles from the holy fire, enlightening the entire church premises. Easter celebrations assume more religious significance in Israel than feasting and celebrations.



How should we celebrate Easter?
With so much fanfare surrounding Easter, the tendency to not celebrate it are pretty high. If Easter is truly one of the holiest festivals in the Christian calendar, then it is meant to be celebrated nonetheless. Rather than get carried away with festivities and consumed with needless symbolisms, Christians should take out time to reflect on all Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross and rejoice because in Him we have new and everlasting Life. This is the one holiday that is truly about Christ and his Victory over Sin & Death.

JESUS IS ALIVE
that’s why we can say
HAPPY EASTER.