Festivals - Easter

"The fact is that Christ did actually rise from the dead" (1 Cor 15:20 LB). Thanks be to God! What is Easter? Where did we get the Easter Bunny? What is Lent? The resurrection has been the central celebration of the church since its beginning. For centuries people have gathered annually on hilltops, beaches, and open meadows to greet the rising sun, a visual reminder of the risen Son of God. Easter is observed during the season of the Jewish Passover, within which Christ was crucified and rose again. Resurrection Day is the first Sunday following the first full moon on or after the first day of spring. If the full moon is on a Sunday, Resurrection Day is celebrated the following week.

History

The original Christian celebration was called Pesach, a name borrowed from the Hebrew word for "the Passover." For the first three centuries Christian believers reserved only one or two days for prayer in preparation for the celebration. The festival was not idolatrous, it was not called Easter, and it was not preceded by Lent.

The origin of Easter is found in Chaldean paganism. Astarte, or Ishtar, was a Babylonian goddess dedicated to a cult of fertility. The cult spread to Europe and was adopted by Teutonic people, who called this fertility goddess Eostre or Oster. Many pagan religions adored this consort of the god Baal, worshiping her with religious ceremonies. The festival was celebrated on the spring equinox with rabbits and brightly colored eggs. In ancient Egypt the rabbit was a popular fertility symbol because of its incredible reproductive record and was the obvious choice for a fertility festival.

The period for this pagan worship was called Easter Month. Lent comes from the word Lencten, which means "spring" and marks the lengthening of days in the spring. This was the dominant celebration devoted to the pagan worship of Astarte, or Eostre, and was marked by forty days of abstinence.

Christian leaders tried to change the emphasis by blending biblical themes with existing pagan practices. They established a forty-day fast to remember the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for his earthly ministry (Mt 4:1-11) and the forty days Moses spent on Mount Sinai preparing to receive the Ten Commandments (Ex 34:28). The forty days of the pagan lent were stretched to forty-six days in the Christian calendar, with Sundays thus reserved for weekly celebrations of the resurrection.

Astarte worship was not easily suppressed by the new Christian Lent. A further attempt by church leaders in the sixth century to require the observance of the Christian season was met with resistance, violence and bloodshed. To secure the peace, a compromise transformed Pesach into Easter and gave the Chaldean goddess her subtle place in current cultural practices.

Shrove Tuesday

"Then I confessed my sins to you; . . . and you forgave all my sins" (Ps 32:5 TEV). The word shrove, or shriving, means "confession." Shrove, or Confession, Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. It was intended to be a time of relaxation in preparation for the long period of self-discipline, self-denial and self-sacrifice. Beginning in the fourth century Shrovetide turned into revelry and rioting; we know it better as Mardi Gras.

Lent required strict fasting, which meant indulgent foods such as eggs, butter and milk were not allowed. Pancakes became the main item on the menu because they used up those ingredients before the beginning of the fast. Here is a practical idea: Enjoy a pancake supper. Talk about the need for confession and consider fasting.

Ash Wednesday

"l turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes" (Dan 9:3).

Ash Wednesday opens the door to the season of Lent. Ashes symbolize humility and are a visual reminder of the vast difference between creatures and their Creator. They are a sign of sorrow and
genuine regret. Historically the ashes used in Ash Wednesday ceremonies symbolize the need for repentance and a change of heart. The focus is on preparing oneself for the celebration of the
resurrection. This is a time to repent and to prepare as a forgiven sinner to be received by the Lord. The words of the traditional liturgy warn: "Remember, O man, that you are dust. ... Repent and believe the Good News." In Matthew 11:21 Jesus denounced the cities where many of his miracles had been performed because they did not repent "in sackcloth and ashes."

Here are some ways to celebrate Lent. (1) Begin by attending a worsh1 p service on Ash Wednesday. (2) For the next six and one-half weeks prepare for Resurrection Day. The extent to which it is effective in your life will depend on you. Jesus taught in Matthew 6 that we should fast, pray and give. Consider these important disciplines. (3) Lent provides a fresh opportunity for personal renewal. Think of ways to honor the Lord with your praise during these truly significant days. (4) Traditionally, ashes are made by burning palm branches used in the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration. If you do not participate in a congregation with this observance, consider writing the sins you wish to confess on a piece of paper. Gather and burn the papers with God's words of assurance that he "blots out your transgressions" and "remembers your sins no more" (Is 43:25).

Palm Sunday

"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!" (Mt 21:9 NASB). From the time of the giving of the law, sacrifice was ordained by God (Lev 1-7). Sin must be covered in order for us to be in the presence of a holy God.

The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was the official presentation to Israel of the Messiah as King. The crowd was excited: shouting, waving palm branches and rejoicing. At last, the "Coming One" had
arrived to deliver them. No one paid attention to the shepherds leading the sheep from Bethlehem into the city. It was the tenth day of the Hebrew month, Nisan, and they were "each one to take a lamb for themselves .. . an unblemished male" (Ex 12:3, 5 NASB). As the Lamb entered Jerusalem, the "Home of Israel," the paschal lambs were being led into the city in preparation for the Passover. Everyone knew that the way to be redeemed was to sacrifice a lamb, but they had forgotten.

Try this: Prop a little stuffed lamb on a bed of palm fronds in the center of the table where you eat. Read Exodus 12:1-6, John 1:29, and Matthew 21:1-10. Let these objects and texts help you remember the events as you prepare your heart for Good Friday.

Maundy Thursday / Passover

"A new command I give you: Love one another" (Jn 13:34). The name Maundy comes from the Latin words "it is commanded." This is in remembrance of the new commandment given by Jesus as he was celebrating his last Passover with the disciples. Here are some ways to celebrate Maundy Thursday: Celebrate the Passover Seder and Last Supper in your home with your family, or share cooking responsibilities with several families, a small group or a house church. For a Christian Seder, recipes and instructions, see Celebrate the Feasts (Zimmerman). Then attend a Maundy Thursday service.

Good Friday

"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (Jn 1:29 NASB). Traditionally, Friday was the day of preparation for the sabbath. Clearly Jesus' death on the cross on this Friday prepared everything for us to be able to enjoy a permanent sabbath rest. The day is called good because of the great benefit provided as a result of what took place.

Jesus died as the Passover Lamb, a picture from Exodus of God's rescuing the people from physical slavery in Egypt. The cross became the place of our deliverance, thus providing spiritual freedom. Jesus died wearing a crown. The sign over his head declared him to be King of the Jews.

Before celebrating Jesus' resurrection, remember his death: (1) On Friday morning cover the lights with pieces of black cloth. Be reminded that the "Light of the World" went out for three days. (2) Cover your dinner table with a black cloth. Along with the cutlery, set a nail at each place to remind everyone of personal responsibility in the crucifixion. Gather the family for breakfast. Read John 19:17-30 and Psalm 22. Pretend you are there. Share your feelings. (3) Attend a Good Friday service.

Holy Saturday

Leave everything in black. This is a quiet day of waiting. Read Matthew 27:62-66.

Resurrection Day

Mary announced, "I have seen the Lord!" (Jn 20:18 LB). Celebrate in some of the following ways: (1) Wake up early. With the words "Hallelujah, Christ is risen!" wake up each family member. (2)
Spread your dinner table with a white cloth. Decorate with fresh flowers and lilies. Light white candles in safe places. All are reminders that Jesus is alive. (3) Go outside to a hill, mountain, river or park. Find a sunrise service or plan one yourself. Watch the sunrise and be reminded of God's Son; let him come alive in your heart. Read John 20:1-18 and Hebrews 11:25-26. Gather with family and friends, a small group or housechurch group for breakfast. (4) Go to the church of your choice. Worship the risen Lord with joy!

» See also: Festivals—Christmas

» See also: Festivals—Thanksgiving

References and Resources

R. Foster, Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: Harper & Row 1978) · R. E. Webber, ed., The Services of the Christian Year, vol. 5 of The Complete Library of Christian Worship (Nashville: Star Song, 1994) 373-426; M. Zimmerman, Celebrate the Feasts (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1993).

— Martha Zimmerman