Bunnies and candy or an empty tomb: How will you celebrate Easter?
Posted by The Skyliner on March 31st, 2010Jessicah Peters
Staff Writer
Bunnies, baskets and candy-shaped eggs—since when did Easter become another holiday about sweets and treats?
The meaning of a hard-boiled egg decorated in spring colors goes far back in history. At the Passover, hard-boiled eggs dipped in salt water symbolized the Passover sacrifice. The ancient Persians painted eggs for Nowrooz, which is the New Year celebration falling on the spring equinox.
To Christians, however, they were a symbol of new life, like a chick hatching from an egg. The meanings of eggs changed throughout history, mostly for the worst. For example, in medieval times, eggs were forbidden during Lent. It was during the time of Easter that eggs were allowed again and children, and servants were given egg prizes as Easter gifts.
In today’s society, the celebrations of Easter have become secularized with the “Easter bunny” and hunting for eggs filled with candy. The Easter bunny came from the goddess Eastre, who was worshipped by Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, a rabbit.
Because most parents do not know the Judeo-Christian history of Easter eggs, Easter has become another pagan holiday. Christians try hard to keep Jesus the center of Easter, but when churches hold spring festivals with egg hunts and a man dressed up in a bunny suit, they are being just like the world.
I thought I was deprived of many things as a child when it came to Easter. I never received a basket with candy and never got to decorate eggs, but looking at the history of so many Easter traditions, I now understand that my parents were teaching me what Easter was all about.
The tradition in my family was to go to the Passion play that was held at our church. For years, my family would go and watch a play portraying the life of Christ and his resurrection three days after his death.
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” I am thankful for parents who taught me when I was young the meaning of Easter and how, because Jesus died on the cross and rose three days later, I could be saved.
I believe it is especially important for college students to figure out now how to spend Easter when beginning a family. Will you uphold the secular holiday of Easter, teaching your children to believe in a bunny, or will you teach your child the Christian story of Easter?
The true Easter story is found in Mark 15:1-16:20. I encourage students not to get wrapped up in enticing candy and commercialized events, but to remember that Jesus has conquered the grave.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 9