The celebration of Easter

BY MARY NTUI

Easter Sunday is  one the most festive events among Christians worldwide. It is a season Christians, the world over mark and celebrate the resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

However, many Christians worldwide celebrate Easter with special church services, music, candlelight, flowers and the ringing of church bells. Easter processions are held in some countries such as the Philippines and Spain. Many Christians view Easter as the greatest feast of the church year. It is also a day of joy and celebration to commemorate that Jesus Christ is risen according to Christian belief.

Although, Easter maintains great religious significance, many children in countries such as Australia, Canada, United States and the United Kingdom, think of it as a time to get new spring cloths, to decorate eggs and to participate in Easter egg hunts where eggs are usually hidden by the Easter Bunny.

Also, Easter Sunday falls on a Sunday, which is a non-working day in some countries. Government offices are closed on such day.
In countries where Sunday is a non-working day, transport schedule may be limited or operated on a different schedule to that of the working week, so those intending on travelling via public transport may need to check their schedules ahead of time.

Many Christians celebrate Easter Sunday as the day of Jesus Christ resurrection, which is written in the New Testament of the Christian bible. According to the gospel of John in the New Testament, Mary Magdalene came to the town where Jesus was buried and found it empty. An angel told her that Jesus had risen. Christians worldwide have celebrated Easter for centuries.

However, the root of Easter holiday, traditions and activities can be traced back to pagan celebrations. The name Easter is believed to come from ‘Eostara’, the goddess of rebirth. In early time, the feast of Eostara celebrated earth’s resurrection and rebirth. Easter is therefore delayed one week if the full moon is on Sunday, which lessens the likelihood of its falling on the same day as the Jewish Passover. The first Jewish Christians added Easter celebrations to the Passover festival and because Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday, Easter day became the first Sunday after Passover.

For Christian, the full Easter period lasted a long time. Easter officially starts with lent on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter day(lent lasts for 40 days but you don’t count the Sundays.) then 39 days after Easter day, Christian celebrate ascension day, when they remember Jesus ascending into heaven and promising to come back to earth one day. Easter officially ends 49 days. After Easter day the Christian festival of Pentecost or white sun is celebrated, this is when Christians remember that God sent his Holy Spirit to help Christian. Aside from the fact that Easter Sunday officially ended the long fast of Lent.

Also, in the family and community of all the various Christian denominations, Easter Sunday has always been a day of joyous celebration. In the middle age, it was often chosen as the day to crown kings since Easter feasting was, and remains, quite elaborate especially in the orthodox tradition. Easter day was often extended into two day celebration, with feasting, gaming, and other secular entertainments continued into Easter Monday. The date of Easter ranges between March 22 and April 25.

However, Christians celebrate Easter by attending the Easter vigil service, decorating and distributing Easter gifts to family members and having a family lunch and dinner together on the Easter Sunday.