Easter is coming up this Sunday, April 17^th. Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament of the Bible, the resurrection of Jesus Christ was said to happen three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans in roughly 30 B.C.E. The holiday concludes passion of Christ, a series of resting, prayer and sacrifice. It also ends with holy week; this includes Holy Thursday or “Maundy Thursday” (The celebration of Jesus’ last supper), Good Friday (on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed), and Easter Sunday. Although Easter holds high religious significance in the Christian faith, many traditions associated with Easter date back to pre – Christian, pagan times.

Easter Traditions:

There are many Easter – time traditions with roots that can be traced back to non – Christian and even Pagan or non- religious celebrations. Many non – Christians choose to observe these traditions while essentially ignoring the religious aspects of the celebration.

An example of non – Christian Easter traditions include Easter eggs and games like egg rolling and decorating.

In paganism, eggs are believed to represent fertility and birth in certain traditions the pre – date Christianity. Egg decorating has become part of the celebration to the religious significance of Easter, Jesus’ re-birth. While the exact origins of the Easter bunny traditions are unknown, historians believed it to arrive in America with German immigrants. In many cultures, rabbits are known as enthusiastic procreators, because of this the arrival of baby bunnies in springtime became associated with birth and renewal.