Easter will be celebrated by thousands of Powell River residents on Sunday. It’s a time for new beginnings, for reflecting on the past and, for Christians, for celebrating the resurrection of Christ.
There are signs of new beginnings popping up all over town, despite colder than normal temperatures. Crocuses, snowdrops, daffodils and cherry trees are blossoming. When the clouds clear, the sun sheds its warmth and the days are longer. Robins are busy searching for food and frogs have started singing.
Easter actually has ancient origins. The word Easter is derived from the name of an ancient goddess named Eastre. Each year people celebrated Eastre at the spring equinox. Eastre’s earthly symbol was the rabbit, which symbolized fertility.
Easter and Passover always fall close to each other but they are not always at exactly the same time. This year Passover starts on Saturday, April 7. Passover commemorates the time when God rescued the people of Israel from slavery and Moses led them out of Egypt. It is the Israelite’s liberation from Egypt that led to the beginning of Judaism.
Both Easter and Passover revolve around the idea of rebirth. Both draw on the idea of birth or rebirth with Easter eggs and hard-boiled eggs served on Passover.
Easter is known as a moveable feast, because it does not fall on a fixed date in the calendar. Instead, the date of Easter is the first Sunday after the full moon following the northern hemisphere’s vernal equinox, but it always falls between March 22 and April 25.
For a large portion of the world, Easter is a Christian holiday. It marks the day in which Jesus rose from the grave three days after his crucifixion. Good Friday reminds Christians how Jesus died on the cross for man’s sins. Easter Sunday brings with it a message of hope and the story of the resurrection is one that is celebrated.
Children are looking forward to collecting eggs hidden by the Easter bunny. Easter eggs are used in the celebration because they are a symbol of rebirth. Painted eggs were originally left in fields as an offering to bring about fertility. In some households hot-cross buns are served. There are Easter bonnets, church services and special dinners.
Easter is a time to reconnect with family and to think about the future. It’s a time of change, a time for optimism, a time to start again.
