To do the bunny or not?
As a Christian I always feel somewhat judged critiqued when it comes to celebrating Christmas and Easter. And since this past Sunday was Easter Sunday, I thought I would share some research on Resurrection Day vs. Easter, my thoughts, and what our
family has chosen to do.
Biblical View:
Resurrection Sunday, is a holiday celebrating the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of HIS burial after HIS CRUCIFIXION by Romans at Calvary. It is the culmination of the PASSION of CHRIST, preceded by LENT, a forty-day period (not counting Sundays) of fasting, prayer, and penance in preparation for Easter, which begins on Ash Wednesday. The week before Easter, known as Holy Week, is VERY special in the Christian tradition. The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday. Then Good Friday two days before Easter.
Palm Sunday and Good Friday respectively commemorate JESUS' entry in Jerusalem, the Last Supper and the CRUCIFIXION.
Bunnies, Baskets, Eggs, and all that Jazz:
The Easter Bunny is a folkloric figure and symbol of Easter, depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs. Originating among German Lutherans, the Easter Hare originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behavior. Similar to Santa. It came to the U.S. around the 18th Century. In legend, the creature carries colored eggs in his basket, candy, and sometimes also toys to the homes of children.
he
festival of Easter is laden with many traditions and customs. Easter
Bunny, Easter eggs and Easter baskets have become hallmarks of this
spring time festival. Easter gift basket is not simply an ensemble of
various goodies and treats. Rather it brings home the meaning of Easter
to all of us. There is more to these popular Easter ensemble than the
eyes can see. So, let’s come together and observe the Easter Basket History and discover the essence of this spring time festival.
Since
ages Easter baskets have played a pivotal role in the celebrations of
Easter. As we all know, the season of spring has always been seen as a
time of new life and renewal. And in the spring, it was customary to
take baskets of early seedlings to the fertility goddess Eostre (or
Oestre) to increase the chance of a good harvest. According to the
legends, the fertility goddess Eostre (or Oestre) carried a basket of
eggs. Thus, Easter baskets signify new life, rebirth and renewal. The
Easter Basket ritual has its origins in the German folklore of the
Easter Hare. According to a German legend, a white hare would leave
Easter baskets filled with candies, brightly colored eggs and other
goodies for kids to come and gorge on them on Easter morning.
The German settlers when moved to U.S., popularized the tradition of
the Easter hare. And as the days passed, the Easter hare became the
Easter bunny delighting the kids with baskets of eggs, chocolates,
candy, jelly beans and other goodies on the Easter morning. Nowadays
markets are flooded with a large range of Easter baskets to suit all
tastes and preferences. In recent years, the popularity of Easter
baskets has escalated tremendously. Gift basket brings multiple goodies
together without much effort and the packaging is done in such a way as
to present itself as a kind gift. Rather than having to shop for a
variety of goodies or treats separately, the gift giver only has to
compile them in Easter Baskets. Easter Gift Basket is easy and fun way
to let people know how much they mean to you.
- See more at: http://www.dgreetings.com/easter/easter-basket-history.html#sthash.JAEgKIzb.dpuf
Easter eggs, in addition, Orthodox churches have a custom of abstaining from eggs during the fast of Lent. The only way to keep them from being wasted was to boil or roast them, and begin eating them to break the fast. As a special dish, they would probably have been decorated as part of the celebrations. Eggs boiled with some flowers change the colors, bringing Spring into the homes, and some over time added the custom of decorating the eggs. Some also use the color green, in honor of the new foliage emerging after the long-dead time of winter. Many Christians to this day typically dye their Easter eggs red, the color of blood, in recognition of the blood of the sacrificed CHRIST (and, of the renewal of life in springtime). As such, for Christians, the Easter egg is a symbol of the empty tomb. The oldest tradition is to use dyed chicken eggs, but a modern custom is to substitute eggs made from chocolate, or plastic eggs filled with candy such as jellybeans.
The use of Easter baskets as we know them today, developed from more modern Christian symbols. The fasting during Lent until Easter comes brought the tradition of fasting on a large meal. In earlier times the meal was brought in baskets to church to be blessed by priests.
he
festival of Easter is laden with many traditions and customs. Easter
Bunny, Easter eggs and Easter baskets have become hallmarks of this
spring time festival. Easter gift basket is not simply an ensemble of
various goodies and treats. Rather it brings home the meaning of Easter
to all of us. There is more to these popular Easter ensemble than the
eyes can see. So, let’s come together and observe the Easter Basket History and discover the essence of this spring time festival.
Since
ages Easter baskets have played a pivotal role in the celebrations of
Easter. As we all know, the season of spring has always been seen as a
time of new life and renewal. And in the spring, it was customary to
take baskets of early seedlings to the fertility goddess Eostre (or
Oestre) to increase the chance of a good harvest. According to the
legends, the fertility goddess Eostre (or Oestre) carried a basket of
eggs. Thus, Easter baskets signify new life, rebirth and renewal. The
Easter Basket ritual has its origins in the German folklore of the
Easter Hare. According to a German legend, a white hare would leave
Easter baskets filled with candies, brightly colored eggs and other
goodies for kids to come and gorge on them on Easter morning.
The German settlers when moved to U.S., popularized the tradition of
the Easter hare. And as the days passed, the Easter hare became the
Easter bunny delighting the kids with baskets of eggs, chocolates,
candy, jelly beans and other goodies on the Easter morning. Nowadays
markets are flooded with a large range of Easter baskets to suit all
tastes and preferences. In recent years, the popularity of Easter
baskets has escalated tremendously. Gift basket brings multiple goodies
together without much effort and the packaging is done in such a way as
to present itself as a kind gift. Rather than having to shop for a
variety of goodies or treats separately, the gift giver only has to
compile them in Easter Baskets. Easter Gift Basket is easy and fun way
to let people know how much they mean to you.
- See more at: http://www.dgreetings.com/easter/easter-basket-history.html#sthash.JAEgKIzb.dpuf
The
festival of Easter is laden with many traditions and customs. Easter
Bunny, Easter eggs and Easter baskets have become hallmarks of this
spring time festival. Easter gift basket is not simply an ensemble of
various goodies and treats. Rather it brings home the meaning of Easter
to all of us. There is more to these popular Easter ensemble than the
eyes can see. So, let’s come together and observe the Easter Basket History and discover the essence of this spring time festival.
Since
ages Easter baskets have played a pivotal role in the celebrations of
Easter. As we all know, the season of spring has always been seen as a
time of new life and renewal. And in the spring, it was customary to
take baskets of early seedlings to the fertility goddess Eostre (or
Oestre) to increase the chance of a good harvest. According to the
legends, the fertility goddess Eostre (or Oestre) carried a basket of
eggs. Thus, Easter baskets signify new life, rebirth and renewal. The
Easter Basket ritual has its origins in the German folklore of the
Easter Hare. According to a German legend, a white hare would leave
Easter baskets filled with candies, brightly colored eggs and other
goodies for kids to come and gorge on them on Easter morning.
The German settlers when moved to U.S., popularized the tradition of
the Easter hare. And as the days passed, the Easter hare became the
Easter bunny delighting the kids with baskets of eggs, chocolates,
candy, jelly beans and other goodies on the Easter morning. Nowadays
markets are flooded with a large range of Easter baskets to suit all
tastes and preferences. In recent years, the popularity of Easter
baskets has escalated tremendously. Gift basket brings multiple goodies
together without much effort and the packaging is done in such a way as
to present itself as a kind gift. Rather than having to shop for a
variety of goodies or treats separately, the gift giver only has to
compile them in Easter Baskets. Easter Gift Basket is easy and fun way
to let people know how much they mean to you.
- See more at: http://www.dgreetings.com/easter/easter-basket-history.html#sthash.JAEgKIzb.dpuf
The
festival of Easter is laden with many traditions and customs. Easter
Bunny, Easter eggs and Easter baskets have become hallmarks of this
spring time festival. Easter gift basket is not simply an ensemble of
various goodies and treats. Rather it brings home the meaning of Easter
to all of us. There is more to these popular Easter ensemble than the
eyes can see. So, let’s come together and observe the Easter Basket History and discover the essence of this spring time festival.
Since
ages Easter baskets have played a pivotal role in the celebrations of
Easter. As we all know, the season of spring has always been seen as a
time of new life and renewal. And in the spring, it was customary to
take baskets of early seedlings to the fertility goddess Eostre (or
Oestre) to increase the chance of a good harvest. According to the
legends, the fertility goddess Eostre (or Oestre) carried a basket of
eggs. Thus, Easter baskets signify new life, rebirth and renewal. The
Easter Basket ritual has its origins in the German folklore of the
Easter Hare. According to a German legend, a white hare would leave
Easter baskets filled with candies, brightly colored eggs and other
goodies for kids to come and gorge on them on Easter morning.
The German settlers when moved to U.S., popularized the tradition of
the Easter hare. And as the days passed, the Easter hare became the
Easter bunny delighting the kids with baskets of eggs, chocolates,
candy, jelly beans and other goodies on the Easter morning. Nowadays
markets are flooded with a large range of Easter baskets to suit all
tastes and preferences. In recent years, the popularity of Easter
baskets has escalated tremendously. Gift basket brings multiple goodies
together without much effort and the packaging is done in such a way as
to present itself as a kind gift. Rather than having to shop for a
variety of goodies or treats separately, the gift giver only has to
compile them in Easter Baskets. Easter Gift Basket is easy and fun way
to let people know how much they mean to you. - See more at:
http://www.dgreetings.com/easter/easter-basket-history.html#sthash.JAEgKIzb.dpuf
The
festival of Easter is laden with many traditions and customs. Easter
Bunny, Easter eggs and Easter baskets have become hallmarks of this
spring time festival. Easter gift basket is not simply an ensemble of
various goodies and treats. Rather it brings home the meaning of Easter
to all of us. There is more to these popular Easter ensemble than the
eyes can see. So, let’s come together and observe the Easter Basket History and discover the essence of this spring time festival.
Since
ages Easter baskets have played a pivotal role in the celebrations of
Easter. As we all know, the season of spring has always been seen as a
time of new life and renewal. And in the spring, it was customary to
take baskets of early seedlings to the fertility goddess Eostre (or
Oestre) to increase the chance of a good harvest. According to the
legends, the fertility goddess Eostre (or Oestre) carried a basket of
eggs. Thus, Easter baskets signify new life, rebirth and renewal. The
Easter Basket ritual has its origins in the German folklore of the
Easter Hare. According to a German legend, a white hare would leave
Easter baskets filled with candies, brightly colored eggs and other
goodies for kids to come and gorge on them on Easter morning.
The German settlers when moved to U.S., popularized the tradition of
the Easter hare. And as the days passed, the Easter hare became the
Easter bunny delighting the kids with baskets of eggs, chocolates,
candy, jelly beans and other goodies on the Easter morning. Nowadays
markets are flooded with a large range of Easter baskets to suit all
tastes and preferences. In recent years, the popularity of Easter
baskets has escalated tremendously. Gift basket brings multiple goodies
together without much effort and the packaging is done in such a way as
to present itself as a kind gift. Rather than having to shop for a
variety of goodies or treats separately, the gift giver only has to
compile them in Easter Baskets. Easter Gift Basket is easy and fun way
to let people know how much they mean to you.
- See more at: http://www.dgreetings.com/easter/easter-basket-history.html#sthash.JAEgKIzb.dpuf
The
festival of Easter is laden with many traditions and customs. Easter
Bunny, Easter eggs and Easter baskets have become hallmarks of this
spring time festival. Easter gift basket is not simply an ensemble of
various goodies and treats. Rather it brings home the meaning of Easter
to all of us. There is more to these popular Easter ensemble than the
eyes can see. So, let’s come together and observe the Easter Basket History and discover the essence of this spring time festival.
Since
ages Easter baskets have played a pivotal role in the celebrations of
Easter. As we all know, the season of spring has always been seen as a
time of new life and renewal. And in the spring, it was customary to
take baskets of early seedlings to the fertility goddess Eostre (or
Oestre) to increase the chance of a good harvest. According to the
legends, the fertility goddess Eostre (or Oestre) carried a basket of
eggs. Thus, Easter baskets signify new life, rebirth and renewal. The
Easter Basket ritual has its origins in the German folklore of the
Easter Hare. According to a German legend, a white hare would leave
Easter baskets filled with candies, brightly colored eggs and other
goodies for kids to come and gorge on them on Easter morning.
The German settlers when moved to U.S., popularized the tradition of
the Easter hare. And as the days passed, the Easter hare became the
Easter bunny delighting the kids with baskets of eggs, chocolates,
candy, jelly beans and other goodies on the Easter morning. Nowadays
markets are flooded with a large range of Easter baskets to suit all
tastes and preferences. In recent years, the popularity of Easter
baskets has escalated tremendously. Gift basket brings multiple goodies
together without much effort and the packaging is done in such a way as
to present itself as a kind gift. Rather than having to shop for a
variety of goodies or treats separately, the gift giver only has to
compile them in Easter Baskets. Easter Gift Basket is easy and fun way
to let people know how much they mean to you. - See more at:
http://www.dgreetings.com/easter/easter-basket-history.html#sthash.JAEgKIzb.dpuf
he
festival of Easter is laden with many traditions and customs. Easter
Bunny, Easter eggs and Easter baskets have become hallmarks of this
spring time festival. Easter gift basket is not simply an ensemble of
various goodies and treats. Rather it brings home the meaning of Easter
to all of us. There is more to these popular Easter ensemble than the
eyes can see. So, let’s come together and observe the Easter Basket History and discover the essence of this spring time festival.
Since
ages Easter baskets have played a pivotal role in the celebrations of
Easter. As we all know, the season of spring has always been seen as a
time of new life and renewal. And in the spring, it was customary to
take baskets of early seedlings to the fertility goddess Eostre (or
Oestre) to increase the chance of a good harvest. According to the
legends, the fertility goddess Eostre (or Oestre) carried a basket of
eggs. Thus, Easter baskets signify new life, rebirth and renewal. The
Easter Basket ritual has its origins in the German folklore of the
Easter Hare. According to a German legend, a white hare would leave
Easter baskets filled with candies, brightly colored eggs and other
goodies for kids to come and gorge on them on Easter morning.
The German settlers when moved to U.S., popularized the tradition of
the Easter hare. And as the days passed, the Easter hare became the
Easter bunny delighting the kids with baskets of eggs, chocolates,
candy, jelly beans and other goodies on the Easter morning. Nowadays
markets are flooded with a large range of Easter baskets to suit all
tastes and preferences. In recent years, the popularity of Easter
baskets has escalated tremendously. Gift basket brings multiple goodies
together without much effort and the packaging is done in such a way as
to present itself as a kind gift. Rather than having to shop for a
variety of goodies or treats separately, the gift giver only has to
compile them in Easter Baskets. Easter Gift Basket is easy and fun way
to let people know how much they mean to you.
- See more at: http://www.dgreetings.com/easter/easter-basket-history.html#sthash.JAEgKIzb.dpuf
I found most of these findings interesting in the fact that even what many consider "non-JESUS" centered Easter traditions, that many even say are pagan, in actuality have a church/Christian root.
If one thing I have discovered through my Christian walk, thus far, is that it IS a journey, a process, a renewing of the heart, soul, and mind. Once we become saved GOD will give us eyes to see and ears to hear what is RIGHTEOUS and good. HE will grow and mature us at varying times, degrees and lengths. Conviction comes, sin lessons, hopefully. Or at the vary least the recognition of sin and repentance. But like with everything, I believe it is about living a prayer-centered, obedient life, glorifying, serving, and honoring THE ALMIGHTY and balance. Leading a balanced, CHRIST-centered, faith-filled life. Joy and happiness too!
Also it is not our place to judge others. So if a Christian family decides to celebrate the Resurrection but also the Easter Bunny or other traditions, then who am I to judge? Same goes if they don't even acknowledge JESUS at all or celebrate any number of ways in between. Sometimes I feel like as Christians we have these unrealistic standards, beliefs, and expectations amongst how we view our fellow sisters and brothers. The BIBLE does say to love above all else. Do we really have to make another parent feel guilty because they allow their young kids to hunt eggs or get a photo with the Easter Bunny????? Is that what JESUS would do??? Maybe we need more of WWJD and less of "what would I do"???
So for our Christian family we have decided to celebrate Resurrection Day and the Americanized, commercialized Easter both! It IS about Jesus first, fun, family, and sharing our own childhood memories with our crew. Sitting on the Easter Bunny's lap, coloring and hunting eggs, Easter baskets, sunrise service in new fancy, Easter duds, a big meal with extended family. Our new tradition of a Daddy Daughter Dance the weekend before.
BUT
JESUS
FIRST
Just because we decided to do both does not mean I do not hold the Crucifixion and Resurrection deeply in my heart. It is sacred. Through HIS stripes I am healed, saved, and forgiven. I love JESUS so much! My faith is very important to me.
I have prayed about this and sought THE LORD'S guidance and direction. I am confident in our decision. GOD knows my heart and I believe that ultimately, that is HIS main concern with us all.
OUR
HEARTS
That our heart is right, receptive, and aligned with HIS WORD here on earth so one day our soul will be reunited with JESUS in HEAVEN.
Please comment and share your beliefs, views and traditions. I find it so interesting! I love learning other's traditions! I love getting new ideas for our family!
GOD bless!
XOXO
he
festival of Easter is laden with many traditions and customs. Easter
Bunny, Easter eggs and Easter baskets have become hallmarks of this
spring time festival. Easter gift basket is not simply an ensemble of
various goodies and treats. Rather it brings home the meaning of Easter
to all of us. There is more to these popular Easter ensemble than the
eyes can see. So, let’s come together and observe the Easter Basket History and discover the essence of this spring time festival.
Since
ages Easter baskets have played a pivotal role in the celebrations of
Easter. As we all know, the season of spring has always been seen as a
time of new life and renewal. And in the spring, it was customary to
take baskets of early seedlings to the fertility goddess Eostre (or
Oestre) to increase the chance of a good harvest. According to the
legends, the fertility goddess Eostre (or Oestre) carried a basket of
eggs. Thus, Easter baskets signify new life, rebirth and renewal. The
Easter Basket ritual has its origins in the German folklore of the
Easter Hare. According to a German legend, a white hare would leave
Easter baskets filled with candies, brightly colored eggs and other
goodies for kids to come and gorge on them on Easter morning.
The German settlers when moved to U.S., popularized the tradition of
the Easter hare. And as the days passed, the Easter hare became the
Easter bunny delighting the kids with baskets of eggs, chocolates,
candy, jelly beans and other goodies on the Easter morning. Nowadays
markets are flooded with a large range of Easter baskets to suit all
tastes and preferences. In recent years, the popularity of Easter
baskets has escalated tremendously. Gift basket brings multiple goodies
together without much effort and the packaging is done in such a way as
to present itself as a kind gift. Rather than having to shop for a
variety of goodies or treats separately, the gift giver only has to
compile them in Easter Baskets. Easter Gift Basket is easy and fun way
to let people know how much they mean to you.
- See more at: http://www.dgreetings.com/easter/easter-basket-history.html#sthash.JAEgKIzb.dpuf
