Happy Resurrection weekend! I pray that you have a blessed weekend, full of family and memories! I just wanted to present some research on the origins of Easter and how the traditions came about.
Have you ever wondered where the Easter Bunny came from? What about the eggs? Here is a very brief explanation of where some of our easter traditions came from, and WHAT we actually have to celebrate in this awesome season! Hope this short read blesses you!
The Origins of Easter
“According to various sources, the name Easter has its origin with a goddess of the Anglo-Saxons named Eostre (also Estre, Estara, Eastre, Ostara, and similar spellings in various sources). It is believed that she is the goddess of the dawn and was worshipped in the spring by pagans in Northern Europe and the British Isles. In The Two Babylons, Alexander Hislop claimed Eostre is actually a name derived from the Babylonian goddess Astarte. Hislop extended this connection to include goddesses from around the world: Ishtar, Ashtoreth, Venus, and others. In fact, Hislop argued that all of the systems of gods and goddesses find their origin with Nimrod and his wife Semiramis at the Tower of Babel. Thus,
every primary god is a figure of Nimrod, and every primary goddess is a figure of Semiramis.” https://answersingenesis.org/holidays/easter/is-the-name-easter-of-pagan-origin/
Although Easter has become a very important holiday for christians and non-christians alike, I think it is important to understand the origins of the holidays that we celebrate. We can still have family traditions and especially celebrate the amazing resurrection of Jesus, but it’s always good to know the WHY behind traditions.
When we know the origins of holidays, we can then teach our kids the meaning of what they celebrate, or maybe even why we may not celebrate them.
The History behind the Bunnies
Have you ever wondered where the bunnies come from? Where the heck do you get a bunny that lays eggs, as part of a traditional christian celebration? Let’s look at what the History Channel (a very secular and liberal station) says about the easter bunny…
“The Bible makes no mention of a long-eared, short-tailed creature who delivers decorated eggs to well-behaved children on Easter Sunday; nevertheless, the Easter bunny has become a prominent symbol of Christianity’s most important holiday. The exact origins of this mythical mammal are unclear, but rabbits, known to be prolific procreators, are an ancient symbol of fertility and new life. According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the U.S. and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts, while decorated baskets replaced nests. Additionally, children often left out carrots for the bunny in case he got hungry from all his
hopping.”https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols
Although I complete disagree that the easter bunny has become a “prominent symbol of christianity’s most important holiday”, I think it is interesting to read secular perspective on what historical traditions are.
Secular historians do not see that for christians, the most important celebration is the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Our celebration lies in the defeat of death itself! Jesus, raising from the grave to fulfill the prophesies and delivering us from an eternity separated from God. THAT is our celebration!
Sure, the kids have fun with the egg hunts, the candy and the bbq’s…but that is merely tradition. The easter bunny is NOT what we celebrate.
Celebrate!
His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
‘He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.'” –Matthew 28:2-6
You see, we DO have something to celebrate! Jesus conquered death! He died for our sins, He rose from the grave, AND He is coming back again!
What is not to celebrate???
We do not have to celebrate a little bunny bouncing around, laying eggs and delivering sugar to our children…But we can celebrate the King of Kings raising from the dead! We can celebrate our Jesus conquering death and sin!
I’d like to start a tradition of calling our celebration “Resurrection Sunday”. We are, in fact, celebrating His resurrection, right?
So, this Sunday, as ya’ll are spending time with your families and celebrating…remember WHY we celebrate!
JESUS IS ALIVE! Let me leave you with this awesome song/story…
God Bless and HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!
-Z
