Why do you celebrate Easter? Christians around the world celebrate Easter as the day that Jesus’ rose from the dead. Read on for why this is so important.
What is Easter?
Easter is the day we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead after his death on the cross on Good Friday.
What Happened on Easter Sunday?
On the third day after Jesus’ death, women who were friends of Jesus went to prepare his body. When they got to the tomb, they found the heavy stone rolled away and his body gone. And angel appeared and told the women not to be afraid, and that Jesus had risen, just as he said he would.
Later Jesus appeared to the women in the garden. The women took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then they ran to tell the disciples.
Read the story of Jesus resurrection in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20.
Jesus Christ’s resurrection is the most important event in all of history, the greatest miracle, and the day Christians celebrate as a highest victory day.
How Do People Celebrate Easter?
Christian churches offer worship services on Easter Sunday. These services are full of celebration, with joyful singing, instruments, and readings of the resurrection story. Of all the worship services of the year, Easter Sunday worship is a service not to be missed.
If Easter is the day we honor Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, where do the eggs and bunnies come in? And why is the day called “Easter” since this word isn’t in the Bible?
Why Do We call the Resurrection Easter? (Origin of Easter)
It is proper to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on a Sunday in the Spring, since we know it happened around Passover time. (The date of Passover changes each year. See this post: How Do You Know When is Easter Sunday?)
The celebration of this important holy day has been mixed with spring fertility rituals. Many people assume the word Easter comes from the pagan figure Eastre or Eostre, the goddess of spring, who was celebrated by the Saxons of Northern Europe.
There is a theory that Eastre was the “goddess of the east”, and a festival called Eastre was held to worship her during the spring equinox. Her symbol was the hare. (Hence our modern day Easter Bunny.)
However, there is no hard evidence of anyone worshiping this goddess anywhere, so this remains a theory.
More likely, the name comes from the old word for east or the name of a springtime month.
A more fitting name for celebrations of Jesus is Resurrection Sunday.
Why Do You Celebrate Easter?
Why do you celebrate on Easter Sunday? This is the ultimate question every person must answer.
Do you believe the Biblical story of Jesus’ life true? Did it really happen, or is it a fictional story that people choose to believe?
The way you answer those questions will change your life and your eternity.
Is it wrong for Christians to celebrate this day with bunnies and egg hunts?
The Bible gives no clear directions about how to celebrate this day, so each person must decide how to honor Jesus’ resurrection. There is nothing essentially wrong with bunnies and painted eggs. Some Christians have moral issues with the possible pagan origins of Easter, along with the way these items can detract from the true meaning of the holiday.
Our family highlights the celebration of Jesus’ life as the most important event of Easter Sunday. We worship together at church. We enjoy time together as a family. We also hunt for eggs and eat chocolate, and our kids get an Easter basket of goodies.
How do you celebrate Easter Sunday?
Other Posts for Lent and Holy Week
How Do You Know When is Easter?
What is the Meaning of Palm Sunday?
Why You Should Honor Holy Week Before Easter
What Does Mandy Thursday Mean?
What is the Meaning of Good Friday?
Other Lenten Resources
Six Hours One Friday — Max Lucado
Grow Your Faith with Helpful Printables
*How to Do a House Blessing
*How to Use an Advent Wreath
*Bible Verse Cards
*more!
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