What do you know about the basics of Easter?
Suppose you only visit church on Christmas and Easter or you have never visited one but are curious about Easter. Here are some Easter Basics to get you started or help you understand what Christians are celebrating.
Easter Basics
Easter is the Christian celebration of the resurrection (coming back to life) of Jesus Christ from the dead after his crucifixion (hung on the cross) and death. Two thousand years ago Jesus, the son of God, was hung on a cross, died, was buried, and three days later he came back to life. Followers of Jesus Christ are called Christians. Sinless God demands payment for sin (wrong doing) and Jesus gave his own life to pay for the sins of mankind. This is why Christians annually celebrate Easter, celebrating new life and new beginnings. Instead of a death sentence, eternal life is a free gift for all who believe. This is the best free gift ever. Way better than chocolate bunnies, marshmallow peeps or colored eggs full of jelly beans.
Many cultural traditions of Easter are merely that. Cultural traditions to celebrate the arrival of spring such bunnies, eggs, flowers, lambs, and chocolate that have made their ways into doormats and shops around the world.
Easter Words
Good Friday: the day Jesus was crucified and died. It is known as a good day because he sacrificed himself for the sins of the people so they did not have to pay the price. Read more about it here. Romans 5:7-8 and Mark 15 Some churches offer special services on Good Friday.
Easter Sunday: also known as Resurrection Sunday, the day Jesus came back to life and was seen by many people. His friends and disciples came to the tomb where he was buried only to find him not there, but alive. Read more about it here. Mark 16 Many churches have special services celebrating the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and the hope it offers the world. Some churches offer a sunrise service in remembrance of the women who come to the tomb very early in the morning to embalm the body only to find it empty.
Easter Monday: a cultural holiday celebrated the Monday after Easter usually in English speaking countries, but not a part of the traditional Easter celebration or story. It sometimes is celebrated with egg rolling traditions
“He is risen! He is risen indeed!”: a traditional Easter greeting where one says “He is risen!” and the other says in response, “He is risen indeed!” It reminds us of the joyful news of Easter and acknowledges that God has power over death. Read more about it here. Matthew 28:7 and Luke 24:34
So those are just a few basic facts about Easter and some Easter words. Got other questions about God, faith, or the Christian religion? This website Got Questions as got answers. Lots of them. Want to know how my view of God affects my life? Read this blog post.
Lastly, wonder why the date of Easter changes each year? Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon following March vernal equinox, the official start of spring in the northern hemisphere. That’s where it falls on the Gregorian calendar, but a few places follow the Julian calendar which puts it a few weeks different.
Happy Easter! He is risen!
Table Talk: What symbols of Easter are evident in your home? What questions do you have regarding the basics of Easter?
He is risen!