Resurrection Day
"He is risen!" "He is risen, indeed!" What a marvelous way to greet this morning, traditionally called "Easter" in the United States. It makes sense to me that many American Christians are choosing to call the day "Resurrection Day" rather than "Easter." After all, the word "Easter" is derived from the name of an ancient goddess of fertility, or of spring, called Eostre in German. She was also known as Ishtar in Assyria, Astarte in Greece, Ashtoreth in Israel, and Ostara in Norway. You'll notice that all of those names sound much like our English word, Easter. Only in English is this Christian day of celebration called "Easter." In most other languages, the name of the day is based on the Hebrew word for Passover, Pesach.
Even our American custom of dying and hiding Easter eggs is rooted in the ancient pagan tradition of celebrating the arrival of spring and the accompanying new life. Apparently, Christians long ago took the attitude of "if you can't beat them, join them," adapting the pagan customs and making them their own. Springtime is a wonderful time to celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection, because the new life all around us alludes to the new life that only Jesus can give. Since Jesus is the ultimate giver of new life, we have much reason to celebrate. The danger, in our country, is that secular Easter celebrations threaten a return to the ancient custom of celebrating the arrival of spring, while leaving out any mention of the One who made and sustains all life here on Earth, and who died and rose again so that those who believe in Him may live with Him forever.
We have great fun at our house every spring, dying eggs on the Saturday before Easter, and hiding them outside so the littlest children can find them before dinner on Sunday. However, even the tiniest children in our family know the Good News of Jesus' death and resurrection. We enjoy preparing and sharing a terrific meal on this day with our whole family. Family times like these are important. But the best part of Resurrection Day is worshiping together with our church family, joining together in praise of the One who made the supreme sacrifice for all of us, and who lives and reigns forever.
"He is risen!" "He is risen, indeed!" Alleluia!
Even our American custom of dying and hiding Easter eggs is rooted in the ancient pagan tradition of celebrating the arrival of spring and the accompanying new life. Apparently, Christians long ago took the attitude of "if you can't beat them, join them," adapting the pagan customs and making them their own. Springtime is a wonderful time to celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection, because the new life all around us alludes to the new life that only Jesus can give. Since Jesus is the ultimate giver of new life, we have much reason to celebrate. The danger, in our country, is that secular Easter celebrations threaten a return to the ancient custom of celebrating the arrival of spring, while leaving out any mention of the One who made and sustains all life here on Earth, and who died and rose again so that those who believe in Him may live with Him forever.
We have great fun at our house every spring, dying eggs on the Saturday before Easter, and hiding them outside so the littlest children can find them before dinner on Sunday. However, even the tiniest children in our family know the Good News of Jesus' death and resurrection. We enjoy preparing and sharing a terrific meal on this day with our whole family. Family times like these are important. But the best part of Resurrection Day is worshiping together with our church family, joining together in praise of the One who made the supreme sacrifice for all of us, and who lives and reigns forever.
"He is risen!" "He is risen, indeed!" Alleluia!
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