What is the Origin of Easter and how did it become what it is today?

The Origin of Easter: The Beginning

The origin of Easter lies deeply entrenched in the earliest days of Christianity.  Each spring, Christians around the globe commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The Christian Messiah was crucified for sedition in Jerusalem by Roman soldiers and then mystically rose from the dead three days later.

The death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth solidified his followers’ faith and began a religious movement that has now reached every corner of our world.  The contemporary world-wide celebration of Easter combines Pagan tradition with that of Christianity and Judaism. This religious observance is, with the exception of the Sabbath, Christianity’s oldest.

Origin of Easter: What’s in a name?

The name Easter shockingly is not of Christian roots.  The Christian observance of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is actually the namesake of the Pagan goddess Eastre.

Eastre is known as the Pagan goddess of spring. 

The earliest Christians ministered to the Pagans and subsequently adopted some of their culture. Pagans celebrated the arrival of spring with a traditional festival.  Because this traditional Pagan celebration fell closely on the calendar to the Christian’s celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, the ministering Christian’s adopted Eastre and essentially combined the two vastly different observances into one religious holiday.  This blend of celebrations allowed newly Christian converts to observe the resurrection as well as continue their culture’s traditions.

Origin of Easter: So what is with the bunny?

No Easter discussion can healthily progress without the inevitable mention of the Easter bunny.  What does the resurrection of Jesus have to do with a bunny?!

The rabbit is the Pagan symbol for the Spring Goddess Eastre.

Who would have thought that the oldest annual Christian religious observance has its roots so deeply burrowed in the soil of another religion?

Origin of Easter: Easter Eggs

At this juncture this should not come as a surprise, but Easter eggs also have a Pagan history.  In ancient Pagan culture, eggs represented the notion of renewal or rebirth.  Obviously, this fed perfectly into the Christian’s commemoration of their savior’s resurrection.

Origin of Easter: A Wonderful Celebration of Life

Easter is a unique Christian celebration because of the holiday’s considerable roots in another religion. Whether celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ or the transition into spring, Easter is a celebration of life.

The Easter celebration and the spring season promotes the idea of a fresh start.  Consequently, even the least religious people can find value in spring’s celebration of new life.

Have a Wonderful Easter!

 Origin of Easter: Learn More…

 Does knowing the true origin of Easter change how you feel about this spring holiday? Leave your thoughts below…

Until next time…

May the Sun shine on you, bringing you Warmth and Comfort throughout your day!

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